Ragtag Posted November 30, 2021 Report Share Posted November 30, 2021 Having no experience of TR6 water pumps, other than the Stanpart original that I removed from my engine a while back, I find that I need to call upon the collective expertise of the Forum. I recently (last week) bought a new water pump from one of the usual sources. It arrived in a box that states that it is Made in India by County. Removing from the sealed plastic bag it passed the visual inspection (looks like a TR6 water pump) but when I came to spin the nose I found that it was quite resistant to spinning. It moves smoothly but it doesn't spin freely, having applied a flick of the wrist input. It is like it is running in treacle (or very thick grease). My experience with more modern motors is that water pumps should have no play but spin freely. By contrast to the new pump, applying the same input to the original pump will see it spin for maybe 2 or 3 revolutions. So my question is this: Is the new pump ok and just needs a few miles to 'free up' or should I be returning it to the supplier as not fit for purpose. Thanks in advance for any constructive suggestions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted November 30, 2021 Report Share Posted November 30, 2021 No modern pump will be as good as the greaseable Stanpart. I fitted a sealed bearing County pump in 2013 with some reservations, but it's still working well. I'd fit it and give it time for the bearing and mechanical seal to run in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 It could well be that the mechanical seal is sticking a bit. That should improve once in service. If you still have the old part and if it it is not a repro, keep it for refurbishing. There is a UK-based company doing this for very reasonable money. Others can provide more info, I have no personal experience with them. Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FatJon Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 My new one one was like that but works perfectly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 16 minutes ago, Waldi said: It could well be that the mechanical seal is sticking a bit. That should improve once in service. If you still have the old part and if it it is not a repro, keep it for refurbishing. There is a UK-based company doing this for very reasonable money. Others can provide more info, I have no personal experience with them. Waldi Thats good advice, also whilst you have no water in the system, and if its been there along time, I'd change the thermostat. When done re-fill 25% Blue antifreeze mix, and don't forget to bleed the system. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 Had this on a resealed TR3 pump recently. Our guess was the seal sticking/dragging. Once the pump had water around the impeller it ran more freely. Perhaps before fitting try...immerse the pump operating impeller in a bucket of water, turn and feel for any difference. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcreweread Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 Hi - I have a small stock of OE water pumps already reconditioned by EP Services, but mostly for the 4 cylinder cars - I have one NOS pump which I think is for a TR5/6 with a bolt on pulley - is that right? First two photos are of this pump - the others are of a 4 pot pump. All of these turn smoothly but none will carry on turning under their own impetus - to my mind, that's just the drag of the new seal and bearings so I don't think you have anything to worry about Cheers Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 The drag from the seal will be tiny compared with the drag from the water being pumped. It just isn't of any consequence and at least shows that the seal is doing its job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
astontr6 Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 1 hour ago, John Morrison said: Thats good advice, also whilst you have no water in the system, and if its been there along time, I'd change the thermostat. When done re-fill 25% Blue antifreeze mix, and don't forget to bleed the system. John. Do not use pink anti-freeze as it is known to attack classic car hoses! Bruce Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ragtag Posted December 1, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 Thanks one and all for the responses. The consensus seems to be that I'm overthinking it and all will be well. I didn't realise that the pumps were serviceable as mine isn't the greaseable type. The reason I bought a replacement was that the pump has been off the car for 3 years (due to long term rebuild) and when I came to refit it I found it chirps when spun, suggesting to me that the bearings were dried out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcreweread Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 1 minute ago, Ragtag said: Thanks one and all for the responses. The consensus seems to be that I'm overthinking it and all will be well. I didn't realise that the pumps were serviceable as mine isn't the greaseable type. The reason I bought a replacement was that the pump has been off the car for 3 years (due to long term rebuild) and when I came to refit it I found it chirps when spun, suggesting to me that the bearings were dried out. Hi - I think I'm right in saying (but please check first) EP Services can rebuild non-greaseable units, so you could send yours off to have as a spare - whilst OE refurbed units have a grease nipple, once rebuilt the grease nipple is only for show as the bearings are sealed for life and they shouldn't be greased. Can you tell from my first photos whether that is a TR5/pump please Cheers Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 Hi Rich, I am pretty sure the pump in your first picture is a TR5/early TR6 pump. Wish I had one like that in my spare box. Cheers, Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcreweread Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 11 minutes ago, Waldi said: Hi Rich, I am pretty sure the pump in your first picture is a TR5/early TR6 pump. Wish I had one like that in my spare box. Cheers, Waldi Waldi - thanks for confirming - Any ideas what it's worth? Might be tempted to sell it Cheers Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntc Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 1 hour ago, Ragtag said: Thanks one and all for the responses. The consensus seems to be that I'm overthinking it and all will be well. I didn't realise that the pumps were serviceable as mine isn't the greaseable type. The reason I bought a replacement was that the pump has been off the car for 3 years (due to long term rebuild) and when I came to refit it I found it chirps when spun, suggesting to me that the bearings were dried out. I know of only one that failed and that had lasted well make sure the pulley and belt are correct and not too tight Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 1 hour ago, rcreweread said: Waldi - thanks for confirming - Any ideas what it's worth? Might be tempted to sell it Cheers Rich Hi Rich, You have a pm. Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.