Ok guys,

I've got what I consider a serious rattle when my engines running. I believe it's coming from the water pump but I'm not sure. ANYWAY...while inspecting the belts and bolts, I noticed a crack that runs from the wall of the number 2 belt groove, down through the valley and up the other side. This can't be good can it? I've personally never seen a cracked pully like this before. Have any of you?

 

Are you sure that's a crack? I can't remember for sure, but there might be a seam in that pulley?

You may be hearing a water pump on its last legs...

 

Well, I guess it's no time like the present for a new water pump and pully... well, water pump at least. ONce I get it apart I can see if I need a new pully also.

 

no no, pulleys don't crack, that'd be the first one i'd have seen as well.
Remove all belts, and start up the car briefly. If the rattle is gone, then you're right, its an accessory, maybe the waterpump. I have a funny feeling you'll hear its still there though....

 

Well, check out this picture...

This one you can see, just up from the bolt you'll see a line below the head of a flat-head screw driver. That's the crack. More pictures below

http://strike9.com/file.ashx?path=/m...t/100_1302.JPG

Here is another picture. Just up from the bolt head you can see the crack.

http://strike9.com/file.ashx?path=/m...t/100_1303.JPG

I've never seen anything quite like it but the crack starts on the top inner most wall of the number 2 belt groove, travels down the valley and is starting up the other side.

 

well, that is weird, but I don't think that's the source of your sound.
But, only way to be sure is to remove all your Vbelts, and find out. You can run your car without power steering, alternator, or water pump, for at least 10 seconds without causing any harm, and that should tell you if the sound is there or not.

 

Aye. Tonight after work I'll pull the belts and see what I can come up with. The problem is down here, finding a new pully. THere aren't any Trans Am or Camaros in the yards here to pick apart. I might end up buying a "Gulp" new one from Chevy.