The whirring sound from the 3800 V6 92 Regal identified - Help/Suggestions

[2buickbob]

Ok, part II, there was a whirring sound coming from the front of the 92 Regal, 3800 V6, with almost 260,000 miles, that changed with the rpms but did not affect drivability nor economy.

 

I had written down stethoscope for athis Saturday morning's errand. No need. (I was intially thinking pulley, alternator, water pump, p/s pump, or even a minute exhaust leak)

 

Today, driving home from the rail station, the low coolant light came on and off. In fact, last night, at Borders, I noticed some drips in front the car, but no temperature issues.

No temperature issues today, either, but that can/will change real soon. There is a coolant leak under the water pump area. That water pump has gone for about 140,000 miles.

 

Ok, so some questions now:

 

(1) UNBELIEVABLE - when I lifted the hood, there was a small linear gash in the under-hood blanket. Then I noticed that the edge of the serpentine belt appeared torn. It was about 10,000 miles old. WTF!!! How does that happen? (I was really lucky last night, driving home from a rural area about 35 miles away when I heard a weird noise).

 

(2) Chicken or egg? Belt (replacement) about 10,000 miles ago affected water pump, or water pump affected belt?

 

(3) Water pump repairs - can't/won't do this on my own. How much is the average R&R for a water pump at (a) a dealer, ( Firestone/Goodyear, (c ) Pep Boys...or anyone else you recommend. Not having had a repair in about 2 years, I don't have a regular mechanic where I now live.

 

Your advice/input is sought.

[1990lumina]

If the water pump is packing it in (try turning the pulley by hand) that might be ruined your belt - or you could have an accessory that isn't tracking straight and straining the belt. I know the power steering pulley on my Lumina wobbles a bit but nothing that has destroyed anything - yet.

 

No idea what the book time on a waterpump is - couple hours?

[mfewtrail]

The belt could have been stretched over the edge of a pulley when first installed and gotten torn slightly...or could just be poorly constructed.

 

About the water pump. I don't see why anyone would charge more than 1-1.5hrs labor on a 3800 Series I because they're relatively easy to replace. Ask around and see if anyone can recommend you a good independent shop to take it to.

[ZeroDCX]

Seriously change it out yourself. I've done it twice already on my Series I 3800. It takes about 45 minutes for the most. It's very easy ... the hardest part it just breaking the bolts loose for the water pump.

[2buickbob]

The belt could have been stretched over the edge of a pulley when first installed and gotten torn slightly...or could just be poorly constructed.

 

About the water pump. I don't see why anyone would charge more than 1-1.5hrs labor on a 3800 Series I because they're relatively easy to replace. Ask around and see if anyone can recommend you a good independent shop to take it to.

Ask and you shall receive. In the elevator at work, I found out that the husband of a lady who works on another floor is a mechanic everyone uses. The quote is for about 1.5 hours and it will include water pump and new serpentine, and under $300. I don't have a location at home to do car repairs - just the real simple 15 minute stuff.

 

QUESTION: When a water pump leaks, they leak slowly...at least that's what I've seen. If I refill the system to get to the shop (which is a dozen miles away or so) how far can I usually drive at highway speed without traffic with a full cooling system upon departing? (I was also told that not tightening the rad cap all the way will help slow the outflow). Any help on the rate of leaking?

[cutty]

Usually when the water pump goes bad is will leak out of the seep hole in the bottom of the pump, they usually don't leak that much that fast. You should be fine driving to the shop.

[88red4cyl]

Usually when the water pump goes bad is will leak out of the seep hole in the bottom of the pump, they usually don't leak that much that fast. You should be fine driving to the shop.

 

Yep... Mine made it 180 mile round trip and only went from full in the resevoir to the point of making the low coolant light come on...

[2buickbob]

If the water pump is packing it in (try turning the pulley by hand) that might be ruined your belt - or you could have an accessory that isn't tracking straight and straining the belt. I know the power steering pulley on my Lumina wobbles a bit but nothing that has destroyed anything - yet.

 

No idea what the book time on a waterpump is - couple hours?

I think that's what happened. Parts and labor (with taxes) for a new water pump and a new serpentine under $300. My car is quiet again. When I put the window down while going over a bridge, the 3800 sounds so smooth.

[xtremerevolution]

holy crap dude, water pumps on these engines is a cakewalk. I can do one in half an hour and i've only done it twice.

 

Make sure to use a felpro gasket.

[xtremerevolution]

nevermind. I just read that you already did it. I don't want to make you feel bad but you got raped. the pump is $30 at any auto store. The belt is $20, and the gasket is $15 tops.

[2buickbob]

nevermind. I just read that you already did it. I don't want to make you feel bad but you got raped. the pump is $30 at any auto store. The belt is $20, and the gasket is $15 tops.

The labor was 1.5 hours for the water pump. The pump was about $50 and the belt about $30. Taxes are about 9%.

 

Some people on the forum don't work on cars. I live in a complex where it's not allowed. I don't have a car jack and advanced tools. Some of us have to go to a mechanic. I replace what I know I can do at home and quickly - plug-in stuff in the dash, the blower motor fan ($35), the door handle on the exterior ($27), AF and minor stuff. Everything else goes to the mechanic. Ditto for your input on the motor/engine mounts. If I messed it up, it would cost much more.

 

A water pump R&R is always in the $200 to $300 range at a shop. I guess paying the book labor charge makes it rape. Thanks.

 

 

[xtremerevolution]

nevermind. I just read that you already did it. I don't want to make you feel bad but you got raped. the pump is $30 at any auto store. The belt is $20, and the gasket is $15 tops.

The labor was 1.5 hours for the water pump. The pump was about $50 and the belt about $30. Taxes are about 9%.

 

Some people on the forum don't work on cars. I live in a complex where it's not allowed. I don't have a car jack and advanced tools. Some of us have to go to a mechanic. I replace what I know I can do at home and quickly - plug-in stuff in the dash, the blower motor fan ($35), the door handle on the exterior ($27), AF and minor stuff. Everything else goes to the mechanic. Ditto for your input on the motor/engine mounts. If I messed it up, it would cost much more.

 

A water pump R&R is always in the $200 to $300 range at a shop. I guess paying the book labor charge makes it rape. Thanks.

 

 

 

Honestly, I wouldn't go to a dealer for it in that case. A couple years ago I took my car to a shop for some work I couldn't do myself when I lived in a similar complex as you do, and they charged me fair rates on the parts (not dealer MSRP) and $68 an hour for the labor. All in all it wasn't bad.

 

If you're up for it, I would ask around and see if you have any friends who would be willing to let you use their driveway. You save a shitton of money that way.

 

As far as tools go, they aren't factored into the cost of repairing your car. If you don't pay the labor, you have $200 to buy tools with, and the next time you don't have to. $200 takes you a long way in regard to tools.

 

Where do you live?