Water and alternator belt smoking after being replaced

Tiny
PAULA M
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 TOYOTA TERCEL
  • 4 CYL
  • MANUAL
  • 180,000 MILES
My water pump and alternator belt went and the car was running hot before I realized it (prior to noticing the problem it seemed the heat wasn't working). I replaced the belt, but the belt is smoking and the car is still running hot. What could be wrong. Is the water pump seized? Help.
Friday, January 24th, 2014 AT 6:49 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
Yes, possible water pump was beginning to fail causing overheating and no interior heat. Finally seized when it tore belt. Remove belt and try to spin water pump pulley by hand and check for wobble in water pump. Also do not over-tighten belt. At proper belt tension, belt should move no more than 1/2 inch when pushed on by hand when checked at longest belt travel between pulleys.
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Friday, January 24th, 2014 AT 6:56 PM
Tiny
PAULA M
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you, I will check these tests and hope it helps.
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Saturday, January 25th, 2014 AT 5:44 AM
Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
Check all other pulleys for ease of spinning as well and check to make sure your belt alignment across all pulleys is straight. Sometimes a seized idler bearing will cause the pulley to wobble or shift and not allow proper movement of belt.
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+1
Saturday, January 25th, 2014 AT 12:46 PM
Tiny
PAULA M
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The pulley that the water pump is behind doesn't move at all. Replacing the water pump but the 5th nut is right by the engine mount making for getting it out very difficult. I will check all other pulleys as well. The belt seemed to be a good fit, but got another new one because it was damaged after installing because the pulley wasn't moving due to the water pump being seized I think.
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Sunday, January 26th, 2014 AT 8:33 AM
Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove right lower engine cover. Drain cooling system. Remove alternator and drive belt. Remove intake manifold support, located on lower side of intake manifold.
Disconnect coolant hoses from coolant inlet pipe at rear of water pump. Remove bolt, coolant inlet pipe and "O" ring from water pump.
Remove oil dipstick, alternator adjusting bar, dipstick tube and "O" ring. Remove bolts/nuts and water pump.
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Sunday, January 26th, 2014 AT 1:17 PM
Tiny
PAULA M
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you Mdaniels, this has proved to be too much to handle so the car is being towed to a garage tomorrow. I appreciate all your help !
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Monday, January 27th, 2014 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
Very sorry to hear that, but sometimes things can get overwhelming.
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Monday, January 27th, 2014 AT 7:07 PM

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