jared8783

Another question, that secondary electric fan. Is it supposed to come on when the car is overheating? Cause mine only does when the AC is on and that is it.

jared8783

Well now I feel like an idiot. So I went and paid 140 with tax for a new radiator....still overheating. So it must by process of elimination be the water pump (or bad new thermostat). But car did same thing. It bleed and all, then overheated. And while overheating the only thing that would come out of the coolant bleeders was steam.

Oh well, I don't feel too bad bout the radiator. The fact that nothing came out of the drain plug (while lots came out of the hose holes) shows that there was at least a partial clog.

ktleop1959

I paid 84 dollars for a direct fit one online from a company in California you have it apart I'd change it

jared8783

Well I pulled the water pump and sure enough it's done for. The impeller practically spun freely on it's shaft. Was super tempted to superglue it back on but nah, bearings and what not. May as well dump the cash while I got it open. After all this (that I could have avoided) I'm relieved to have found something surely broken.

When I was in there for the thermostat I replaced the timing belt also but nothing else. I'm going to replace the timing belt pulleys as well. With all this I'm just going to order the parts online. Any suggestions on sites to purchase from? Any suggestions on parts brands to stay away from? And which brands to look for? I'm going to replace the thermostat too again after all this. The autozone duralast one I put in didn't have an o-ring. There's supposed to be an o-ring right? I figure thermostats are cheap so dealer would be best on that part? Or should I get it online too?

ktleop1959

ECS Tuning had a complete kit for mine WP thermostat Timing belt and tensioner new roller and accessory belt cost me 249 when youu do the thermostat make sure the hole is at the 12:00 position I flushed me motor with distilled water and used the correct Blue Antifreeze
I wouldn't just replace the belt without changing the tensioner but thats my choice Good luck with it I hope it all works well for you

SmoothJimmo

Not sure about the 12v, but on the B5+ chassis cars, you DEF want to get a water pump with a METAL impeller. Some outfits used to sell the ones with PLASTIC impellers. Haven't seen them in awhile as folks probably caught on. I caught on when my first replacement plastic impeller pump lasted about 10k miles.