On 31 Dec 2003 19:20:24 GMT, steadisteve@aol.comstopspam (SteadiSteve) wrote:

|I've got a 1988 Honda Civic that a few days started making a strange noise.
|It's a loud rattle..very mechanical sounding....coming from the engine. It is
|definitely not the heat shield or something like that. Being somewhat handy,
|I first tried to diagnose this. The engine seems to run normally but we
|haven't driven any distance since the noise started. Long story short.....it
|is dripping antifreeze from around the main shaft (where the belts are). This
|is almost certainly a water pump failure, yes? The noise is getting
|substantial now and I'm wondering if, even the car can be driven, should I tow
|it to the dealer for the replacement of the pump and timing belt? I fear for
|the TB en route if I drive.
|
|Replacing the water pump is also essentially replacing the TB too. Is this a
|job I might undertake? I have many tools and have done various car repairs
|like alternator, brakes, valves, etc. This job seems much bigger but possibly
|do-able. Thoughts?
|Thanks

Correct, do not drive it. Although I don't think it's an intereference engine,
so the worst would be you are stranded somewhere.
Changing pump & TB is not rocket science, but budget a weekend for it to be on
the safe side. Hardest part for me was getting the crank bolt out.

Rex in Fort Worth