Water Pump Removal Tips
Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 4:36 pm
Having just had to do this job I thought I'd post up a couple of tips for any DIY spannermen like yours truly, so you can avoid repeating my mistake.
What the service manual doesn't tell you is the the pump goes straight through to to the gearbox, which is, of course, full of the best oil you can afford. So when you remove it, you remove the thing that is stopping said oil escaping. Now, if you have the bike on a paddock stand, no problem, as the oil level is below that of the pump. But if you have it on the sidestand a good pint of oil will pour out
Another tip is that you will find that you can't get a spanner or socket on the bolt which secures the coolant pipe at the top of the pump. Well, you'll get a socket on it but not a drive. Easiest way I found without taking off the starter motor is to remove the coolant hose attached to the pipe at the point where it joins to the cylinder block. You should be able to get your hand in from the RH side with the side panel removed, and with a stubby screwdriver remove the jubilee clip. You can then pull the hose off and the whole section of hoses and pipe will remove with the pump. You can then disconnect the pipe. Installation in reverse. If you try and remove hoses at any other point you will find you don't have enough slack to pull them clear.
If you are storing a bike for more than a few months note that old coolant gets acid and will destroy the pump seals, necessitating replacement. Drain and flush the cooling system before storage, it's a simple job and will save you a wad. Ditto running the bike with old coolant, change it after a couple of years, it costs a damn sight less than a new pump!
What the service manual doesn't tell you is the the pump goes straight through to to the gearbox, which is, of course, full of the best oil you can afford. So when you remove it, you remove the thing that is stopping said oil escaping. Now, if you have the bike on a paddock stand, no problem, as the oil level is below that of the pump. But if you have it on the sidestand a good pint of oil will pour out
Another tip is that you will find that you can't get a spanner or socket on the bolt which secures the coolant pipe at the top of the pump. Well, you'll get a socket on it but not a drive. Easiest way I found without taking off the starter motor is to remove the coolant hose attached to the pipe at the point where it joins to the cylinder block. You should be able to get your hand in from the RH side with the side panel removed, and with a stubby screwdriver remove the jubilee clip. You can then pull the hose off and the whole section of hoses and pipe will remove with the pump. You can then disconnect the pipe. Installation in reverse. If you try and remove hoses at any other point you will find you don't have enough slack to pull them clear.
If you are storing a bike for more than a few months note that old coolant gets acid and will destroy the pump seals, necessitating replacement. Drain and flush the cooling system before storage, it's a simple job and will save you a wad. Ditto running the bike with old coolant, change it after a couple of years, it costs a damn sight less than a new pump!