How NOT to replace your alternator belt!

[VETDRMS]

Well, I guess today my purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others...

First off, this presumeably easy proceedure can produce a fair amount of rage...

Easy, loosen bolt on bottom of alternator, loosen bolt on top, move alternator in, take off belt. Put new belt on, use pry-bar to get tensioner bolt back in place, set tension, your set!


UNLESS... you are like me and failed to pay attention to what the pry-bar was against, not the block, the water pipe...

I started the car and soon had a puddle of water on the ground, apparently I broke the o-ring seal at the waterpump. There is a small indent on the pipe where the bar was so it looks like its time for a new seal or pipe.

I removed the AC compressor and brackets so I could get to the pipe and it really doesn't look bad, but it was enough to cause a leak, so a quick ?... Can I get by with just replacing the seal? Also, I see there is a line to the turbo in the way of the bolt that holds the pipe to the block.

Suggestions would be nice, and please demote me from proven member to newbie.... j/k

-Travis

 

[Spoolio]

thats why there is a newbie forum. =)

 

[VETDRMS]

, you've got to learn somehow.

 

[VETDRMS]

Well folks, let me tell you, you do NOT want to F up that pipe. The entire thermastat housing, exhaust manifold, and intake tubing has to come off to get the little bugger out. Once I got it out I found out that I really didn't mess it up too bad and the seal was just really hard and brittle so it did not take much to make it leak.

I did find that I was missing an exhaust stud (what was left of it was still in the head...), and the exhaust manifold has a huge crack in it right over the turbo...This may be an excellent time to do some porting on the O2 housing...

Be careful down there....

 

[TheClaw]

It happens to everyone

I've broken many a thing fixing other things... All part of the game

 

[chicagoavenger]

It happens to everyone

I've broken many a thing fixing other things... All part of the game

amen to that