Hi Martin
I also have a 1996 +4 (4 seater).
Try Brands Hatch / Morgan Kent.
They have a local compqany who refurb the "dummy" aircon pump, which is the drive for the water pump. They had one on the shelf, when mine needed replacement, about 18 months ago. They will exchange old for refurbed, if they have a suitable one on the shelf, otherwise there could be a wait while your's is refurbed. I think the bearing(s) and dog drive are replaced. The cost was something like £280+, if I remember correctly.
I hope they are able to help.
I previously enquired with Allon White but they were unable to offer a similar service at the time.
I started a reply on your thread about torque settings for the engine mounts and water pump cover. I hadn't gone back to my draft when I saw this post. I was going to say that I replaced the wp cover bolts (5 I think) as I read they can deteriorate. I don't know a torque value but it is a balance between getting a seal and not stripping something - I used a short handled spanner or socket driver. I gradually tightened the bolts to keep the pressure on the outer plate even.
I wondered whether you would need to do the dummy aircon pump at the same time. I had a lot of trouble undoing the bolts holding it in place. Access at the pulley end (front) is tricky. I got the whole job done in the end.
It took 3 goes to get the water pump right. Getting the 3 or 4 seals leak-free was a task. My tips:
* Clean up the face plates very carefully. I used a block of wood and fine emery paper, or similar.
* Bed the seals in their grooves with a little RTV sealant.
* Put a bead of RTV sealant over the seals and let go off for about 20-30 minutes before assembling.
* Practice assembling the pump and locating the dog drive before adding the seals and RTV sealant.
* Leaks can come from any of the seals but my problems were with the inner 2 seals, with coolant leaking through a drain hole under the dog coupling.
* I used a bit more RTV in my final (succesfull, I think) go but always tried to avoid too much, as I read it can end up coming away and causing trouble elswhere in the cooling system.
If you have specific questions about any of this, you are welcome to PM me. I am not any kind of expert but did all this work for myself as a novice DIY mechanic, using my mid-rise car lift.
I hope you have success more quickly and easily than I did and are soon back on the road.
For information, my car had 50K miles on it when the drive started clattering, which is what prompted me to work on it. I have not driven the car since as I have had other troubles and had to SORN the car after an MOT failure. I have an MOT booked for tomorrow, so wish me luck!!!
Just rereading your post. You have refitted the water pump already, so maybe you will be able to replace the dummy aircon pump/drive without distubing your newly fitted water pump. Please excuse any unneeded information above!
Best wishes
David Stuart
