Water pump question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

stlouisaaron · 01-08-2011, 05:33 PM

Hey everyone. I am new to the site - and a "new" owner of a 91 toyota corolla (actually it's my 16 year old son's car). Anyway, I was driving his car yesterday when the serpentine belt snapped. I put a new one on today and it started smoking and snapped within 1 minute. Someone on this site said that if the water pump is frozen, that's what would happen. But when I turn the water pump pulley by hand, it spins freely. Any insight would be very helpful.

90 GP · 01-08-2011, 05:48 PM

Not sure which engine you have . On my 4AFE there are three separate fan belts. One for power steering another that goes around water pump and alternator and a third that runs a/c. Depending on which belt it is that smokes and since the water pump spins try all the other accessories that the belt goes around such as alternator , a/c , power steering etc. to find the one that is locked up. Usually there is a idler pulley for one of the belts so check it as well for free movement.

stlouisaaron · 01-08-2011, 09:21 PM

The alternator is completely locked up. What would cause this, and can I just get new bearings, or do I need to replace the whole thing?

Bitter · 01-08-2011, 10:28 PM

I would suggest replacing the whole thing, the case that the bearings press into could have been damaged when it locked up.

Flashmn · 01-09-2011, 05:11 AM

Yeah, replace the whole alternator. Unless you have a shop press disassembling the alternator is going to be tough.

***SCT*** · 01-09-2011, 05:29 PM

Replace the whole alternator, saves a lot of time. Chances are that you fix one thing in the alternator, something else in it can be bad as well...