Collapsed water pump - oh dear...

adebo5 · Post by **adebo5** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:31 pm

Hi guys.

Any of your motors suffered from this? Mechanic told me a new one would cost around 70 pounds, with fitting adding an extra 80 quid or more. He also mentioned that in these cases the front head gasket could go, which I'm told is way more serious.

The car's done 132,000 miles, is very shabby, and the electrics are up the duff. Should I just cut my losses and run? (ie. sell/scrap it). Just so you know, I'm not that handy with technical stuff...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

Ta.

hjkort · Post by **hjkort** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:09 pm

don't scrap it. Get in contact with people that know 480's and get some help fixing the problems. If you are going to run, then donate the car to a 480 enthousiast rather than scrapping it...

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:46 pm

The waterpump consists of a brass rotor on a shaft through a sealed bearing (in a substantial aluminium casting), connected to a pulley.

It can't 'collapse' in the same way that a single brick can't!

I'm not sure what he might mean?

If you allowed the water in your engine to freeze, then cranked it, its possible the fins would shear off, but other than that a 'failed' water pump in the 480 sence is one that leaks or squeals due to a duff bearing or knackered seal.

In any case, the last time i bought a replacement it was Â£17. (non volvo)

Fitting is relatively simple, if a bit fiddly, and should be no more than an hours work for someone with any clue of how to utilise a socket set.

Murf · Post by **Murf** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 7:58 pm

As john says, all they can do is leak!
I replaced one, cost me Â£20 and took and hour and a half.
Sounds like the garage is telling you porkies.........

adebo5 · Post by **adebo5** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 3:05 pm

Well, that's what the mechanic told me. I don't think he was an expert on Volvos.

Leigh_s · Post by **Leigh_s** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 7:35 pm

Changed one of these on my old 440 over the summer and if you have some basic motor DIY skills its not too bad a job. It looks exactly the same as my recent 480GT which needed two drive belts changing today. Water pump for 440 (same as 480) cost about Â£23 and with two drive belts and 5L of antifreeze about Â£40 from a local parts supplier. Having a Haynes manual at hand also helps.

Bramdeman · Post by **Bramdeman** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:04 pm

It CAN collapse, the bearing can go and if it really lets go the timing belt wil fail and kill your engine. Headgaskets are known te be very tough on these cars even if they overheat.

guitarcarfanatic · Post by **guitarcarfanatic** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 12:18 am

Leigh_s wrote:Changed one of these on my old 440 over the summer and if you have some basic motor DIY skills its not too bad a job. It looks exactly the same as my recent 480GT which needed two drive belts changing today. Water pump for 440 (same as 480) cost about Â£23 and with two drive belts and 5L of antifreeze about Â£40 from a local parts supplier. Having a Haynes manual at hand also helps.

Your from Ponty? I'm at Glam uni! Have seen a few 480s about. I would of been driving a light blue turbo until the beginning of december when I switched to a red turbo. If you see me give me a wave!

chris1roll · Post by **chris1roll** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:30 am

Bramdeman wrote:It CAN collapse, the bearing can go and if it really lets go the timing belt wil fail and kill your engine.

Its driven by the auxillary belt on the 480 though

Bramdeman · Post by **Bramdeman** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 6:49 pm

lol thats right