first post - where to start. bearing noise/motor - sounds like water pump

[loguvna]

CJ5 Golden Eagle, 1980 - stock, except for a 31 tires. needs alot, but runs, and is fun around the neighborhood. tired suspension and tires, and a few leaks. I have been driving it until I started to hear some bearing noise around the front of the motor - I don't think its motor, but probably water pump. youtube wasn't much help - just curious how hard to tackle. decent mechanical skill, and the part is 16 dollars?

258 6cyl motor, 4 speed, pw brakes, steering, and tilt. if that maters.

 

[Torxhead]

Well, at least you know where the general area of where the problem is. Sometimes you have to just have to tear into these things to find out. The simplest issue it could be would be the fan belt, moving next to a pulley. Wobbling the fan is an easy way the check the water pump bearing as there should be no play there, check the pulley the same way. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[Hedgehog]

First off, where is richardson? It does make a difference. Basic question, have you checked your oil level. Have you checked the fluid level in your power steering pump? Then there is the fan clutch. A water pump will usually leak at least a little when it's going bad. One thing I strongly suggest. Try not get in the habit of just throwing parts at a problem hoping you'll find the culprit. Also, water pumps are relatively inexpensive, but $16 seems far to cheap. If you are going to spend the time to install a part get a quality part that will last a reasonably long time.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

:ww:

My SWAG is either WP or alternator bearing. Do you have a fan clutch? Those bearings go bad also.
Take the belts off, and see how smooth each turns. If one feels a bit 'gritty'. That's the bad one.
Good luck,
LG

 

[jdcaples]

First off, where is richardson? It does make a difference. Basic question, have you checked your oil level. Have you checked the fluid level in your power steering pump? Then there is the fan clutch. A water pump will usually leak at least a little when it's going bad. One thing I strongly suggest. Try not get in the habit of just throwing parts at a problem hoping you'll find the culprit. Also, water pumps are relatively inexpensive, but $16 seems far to cheap. If you are going to spend the time to install a part get a quality part that will last a reasonably long time.

Just curious: If he's not talking about Richardson, Texas, but say Richardson, WA how does that make a difference?

BTW there are at least 14 US states and one Canadian Province with a city called "Richardson," so "where is Richardson?" is a completely valid question.

-Jon

 

[Hedgehog]

jdcaples - Exactly. If a poster is nervous about giving out his/her exact location it would be better to give the state they live in rather than the name of the town for the exact reason you mention. For example Richardson New York has far different environmental conditions than a Richardson Texas.