Hello all!

My 1991 Panda 1000 Super is feeling a little ill- I think the water pump has had it- The temp rockets into the red within 15mins normal driving, and there is an unpleasant whirring/squealing noise coming from the engine when under the slightest load (ie only time it's not whirring is at idle). Does anyone have any experience of this? Was it an easy enough job to swap the water pump?

TIA,
Helen )

Cinq Turbo and Panda Super

Loose the alternator belt, remove the crankshaft pulley, the plastic cover and then the cam-belt...

Passion has neither brands nor models!

La passione non ha nè marche nè modelli!

Helen,
I just had mine out for inspection and it was very easy to check. As Enzo points out, just remove the parts that interfere as he suggests. It will come right out. You will need some special silicone goo when you reinstall, there is no gasket for this and no electronics or other fancy stuff, purely mechanical, driven off the cam/timing belt.
Be sure you note the timing positions before you take the belt off to be sure that the marks are aligned correctly. It is recommended to replace the belt.
Auguste

Cheers guys!

Not as easy as I'd hoped, but by the sounds of it, not too nasty either. Roll on the weekend for some daylight to work in! Let's hope that fixes it.

Cheers,
Helen

Cinq Turbo and Panda Super

Eheh...a lady with spanners and screwdrivers!Jokes apart, work quietly and don't mind the time elapsing...the only problem is the tight space between the engine and the bodywork, but if you have thin arms this wouldn't bother!
Regarding the water pump,are you sure it's the cause of overheating?I remember my engine pissing water out of the carter when the pump had gone, but you didn't mention this[:0]!Maybe you have air-bubbles inside the cooling circuit and the pump's suffering...worth to investigate before taking the tools!

Passion has neither brands nor models!

La passione non ha nè marche nè modelli!

It helps a lot if you remove the offside front wheel and remove the plastic tray under the timing belt cover. There are a few cross-head screws fastening it to the inner wing at the bottom. If you don't, you'll rip your skin to shreds trying to undo the timing belt cover bottom bolt

It is recommended to replace the timing belt as Auguste says and as you have already loosened it replace the alternator belt too

Steve - who's had the life force sucked out of him by NTL

I've just replaced the alternator belt, and I noticed it's practically impossible to reach the bottom bolt without unscrewing the plastic cover fastened "inside" the right wheel arch[V]!Btw the job's been done, now I want to see if the squeak when the engine's cold will appear again!

Passion has neither brands nor models!

La passione non ha nè marche nè modelli!

How did you get on, Helen?

Steve - who's had the life force sucked out of him by NTL