Replaced Water pump and now sounds horrible when starting.

Tiny
JDLACKEY1882
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CADILLAC CTS
  • 141,000 MILES
Hello I have just replaced the leaking water pump on my wife's CTS. After re-installing everything and filling the resevoir with coolant I started the car. It started rough and surged to 2200RPMs or so and back down, but there is a severe scrubbing noise. I am quite scared to start it now and have requested to be off of work tomorrow to fix it. Is this just the noise of a dry water pump or did I possibly ruin this car? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I did break two small vacum lines but repaired them as needed. Thanks for any help.
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 4:08 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
JDLACKEY1882
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I should add that I could find no screw to bleed the air out of the system. I have read to lift the front of the car as high as possible but not sure about this one.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 4:17 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
MIGHT BE SOMETHING STUPID--I HAVE SEEN WATER PUMPS ON FORDS THAT THE IMPELLER WAS NOT PRESSED ON ALL THE WAY (FACTORY) THAT LOCKED DOWN WHILE BEING INSTALLED

I DO NOT KNOW YOUR RIG

DID IT SPIN FREELY WHEN YOU STUCK IT ON INITIALLY?

MAYBE TRY "KEY OFF" HAVE YOUR BUDDY TURN THE CRANK WITH A WRENCH, LOOK FOR SOMETHING STUPID SCRUBBING NEARBY

WITHOUT SPENDING ALL NIGHT, I JUST SORTA GRABBED THIS---YOU MIGHT CHANGE MY SEARCH WORDS (AT THE TOP) FOR BETTER HITS (TRY CADDY/ GM/ ENGINE SIZES/ COMBINATIONS/ ETC----FIND SOMETHING CLOSE--REVIEW THEIR STEPS ON INSTALLATION---MAYBE YOU WILL FIND YOUR "GLITCH", AND THINGS MAY GET BETTER!
MIGHT EVEN REMOVE THE BELT AND TO A LITTLE MANUAL TURNING--MAY NOT BE YOUR PUMP, MAYBE SOMETHING NEARBY THAT YOU BENT INTO THE BELT ETC

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU FIND

THE MEDIC
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 4:58 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
I dont think you ruined car but you may have ruined something?
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 4:58 AM
Tiny
JDLACKEY1882
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
After I first heard the noise I stopped the engine and removed the bel t and the pump turns easily by hand with no noise. I will get back to it in the morning and will keep you all updated thanks a lot for your responses.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 6:04 AM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Is the pulley rubbing on the front timing cover? Was the front timing cover removed to do the water pump? Is there coolant on the timing belt, perhaps? At 141k, what is the condition of the timing belt?
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
JDLACKEY1882
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks for inquiring factoryjack I tried to remove the timing belt cover but them noticed that I could remove the pump and clean the surface without doing so, I then put it back in place. I had a tricky time trying to drain the coolant so when I did remove the pump there was quite a bit that came out and I'm pretty sure that some of it reached the timing belt. I'm about to remove the serpentine belt and check all of the pulleys by hand, then move on to the timing belt cover. The timing belt looks like it needs to be replaced but I will have to wait because of low funds at the present time. I will check back in throughout the day. Thank you.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
The consequence of that belt failing, is valve damage. The coolant drainage is about the norm, you did all you can do. A lot of coolant is held up in the center of the engine.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
JDLACKEY1882
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I know the seriousness of the timing belt but it doesn't looks extremely bad and I hope to do that next. I did remove the belt and check the pulleys and all are spinning freely with no noise I guess my next move is to remove and inspect the timing belt cover, I'll look over the belt when I do. Thanks
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 6:01 PM
Tiny
JDLACKEY1882
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Found something, I think. In one of the holes that holds the timing belt cover on in the centerI removed a bolt that was half way sheered off. I think that this may be the culpret. Pictures also.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 8:17 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
MAYBE A SHORTER BOLT WENT THERE?

IT SAYS ITS "OK". GO FIGURE!

HOPE IT WAS SIMPLE AND ALL IS GONNA BE FINE

KEEP US POSTED

THE MEDIC
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Nothing goes there, it is a blank hole. The only reason that hole was there, was to secure a wiring harness on the Catera. It is the same engine variant in the 2003 CTS.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 9:05 PM
Tiny
JDLACKEY1882
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I'm sure that was it. I started it up and drove to the car wash to clean the engine, she ran great and now I'm going to let her dry and then check for leaks. Thanks for all of your help guys.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 9:28 PM

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