Supercharged - waterpump failure
#1
Supercharged - waterpump failure
ECS Novi 1500 on stock LS1 - been driving it for a couple of weeks after installation, and it's now back with the tuner to get dialed in. Then **** happens, the waterpump breaks. Please have a look at the picture - do I need to change the complete pump or is it a part that can be changed?
If a new pump is needed, is it ok with a stock or is there any upgraded type I should go for? Anyone heard of Airtex?
If a new pump is needed, is it ok with a stock or is there any upgraded type I should go for? Anyone heard of Airtex?
Last edited by CorvetteC5Norway; 08-23-2017 at 03:59 PM.
#3
weird looking pulley/pump on your car.
I just used OEM GM water pumps but be sure to tac weld the pulley on at the end as sometimes they have been known to walk off over time with supercharger belt tension. Mine certainly was showing signs of walking the pulley off the shaft when I swapped mine. Few welds on the end of the pump shaft where the pulley is on there and looks great now
I just used OEM GM water pumps but be sure to tac weld the pulley on at the end as sometimes they have been known to walk off over time with supercharger belt tension. Mine certainly was showing signs of walking the pulley off the shaft when I swapped mine. Few welds on the end of the pump shaft where the pulley is on there and looks great now
#4
The pulley itself is not there anymore, so what you are looking at is the "thing" that the pulley is mounted on as I've understood from my installer. I would think that this is the stock pump given the cars mailage 45', but I don't know....
Are there other weakspots on the belt drive as you go SC (with ECS) that I should take care of at once?
Are there other weakspots on the belt drive as you go SC (with ECS) that I should take care of at once?
#5
Melting Slicks
Depending on what year C5 you have the stock alternator bracket could be a potential weak spot. I can't recall what year they switched to the stronger bracket but the older ones are known to break under tension.
#6
If I've understood correctly that one is handled by the ECS kit where you cut off the stock PS idler pulley and install a fixed one. Can anyone confirm that I've got it right?
#7
Melting Slicks
I do not believe that resolves the issue of the alt bracket breaking. I believe the alt bracket breaks at the tabs that actually hold the alternator to the bracket due to excess tension on the main belt.
#8
Yep same thing just happened to my wifes C5 with a procharger. Had the original water pump with a bolt on housing same as yours. If everything looks good then just replace the water pump. New one will have hub as part of the water pump not a two piece design. Ordered mine from Rock Auto. Make sure to check the belt as hers got sliced up from when the hub broke. To answer your original question you have to replace the entire water pump.
Last edited by jfernandez98; 08-24-2017 at 02:41 PM.
#10
Drifting
i would get a ls2+ pump and power steering pulley . with a new pump you absolutely need to align the blower pulley again, it will be different. you pump seems to be different. was anything bolted to the flange?
Last edited by romandian; 09-05-2017 at 09:54 AM.
#12
Well I did get a new oem pump, and my installer said that it was another design on the pulley part. Sure look like there has been different designs on the oem pumps through the years.
#13
Premium Supporting Vendor
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Posts: 23,316
Received 1,085 Likes
on
656 Posts
The earlier model C5's were the most prone to this problem, we have had many come in here over the years that were not supercharged broken.
#17
Well hurrahh! My new OEM pump broke the same way after 300 miles!
My installer is sure he is not overtightening the belt. What is happening? Smoken1; the pump in your picture, is that an upgrade from OEM? Where can I get it?
One thing I noticed by the road when I was removing the belt completely; it was really hard to get the belt removed from the balancer because the ECS spring tensioner was so close to the balancer. I was not able, with my hands, to move the spring tensioner at all. Is that right?
My installer is sure he is not overtightening the belt. What is happening? Smoken1; the pump in your picture, is that an upgrade from OEM? Where can I get it?
One thing I noticed by the road when I was removing the belt completely; it was really hard to get the belt removed from the balancer because the ECS spring tensioner was so close to the balancer. I was not able, with my hands, to move the spring tensioner at all. Is that right?