HELP! Anyone running a van powered system in a Chevy Express 2006 or similar

[JoeClean]

I have a cleanco clutch powered system but any that runs off the serpentine belt should be the same.

The pulley on the water pump is the weak link and I keep breaking them when I try to have reasonable vac lift settings.Can anyone point me to an aftermarket waterpump that has a stronger pulley setup than the welded on bell shaped ones that come on standard pumps? (6.0 ltr gas engine)



Thanks for any help

Joe Kelly
Abbey Clean Care

 

[dealtimeman]

Pics?

 

[Jim Martin]

Where is it breaking....are the bolts snapping.....

 

[Dan]

Are you breaking the shaft or the bolts? Either one tells me you either have something way wrong or your buying junk water pumps. Give us more info please.

 

[Out of Character - 0]

I don't have that setup but you could possibly use larger washers if it's tearing the pulley around the bolts.

 

[JoeClean]

If you don't have one its hard to explain. The thin walled bowl shaped pulley is welded to the pump shaft. See link to what the pumps all look like, cheap or expensive. The black part is the pulley.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...6-p?navigationPath=L1*14922|L2*15018|L3*15898#

There are no bolts or washers, just the weld around the shaft, usually thats what cracks first. (The four holes you see on the pulley are just there for when you have to take the fan off, a special spanner wrench holds the pulley from turning.)
I've had one last a year and then the next only a few days. Same vacuum settings.

 

[ThaBeast]

Are you buying them from Advance/autozone/pep boys/ insert junk parts store name here?

If you are go buy one from the dealer. I had idler pulley and fuel pump issues until I went to the ford and Chevy dealers

 

[Dan]

Like TheBeadt just said try one from the dealer. If it fails they will warranty it anyways. If it fails again you may want to consider having it welded on the backside or wherever they can get to it. Inner and outer welds will be strong. I would then watch it because of balancing issues with welds. It also seems to me you are putting tremendous drag on it to break it. Consider reducing lift.

 

[ThaBeast]

Wanted to add that for years we always got high quality parts from NAPA, but lately it seems the only good parts left are at the dealer


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[JoeClean]

The one from advance is the only one I found that was welded on both sides. More expensive one only welded on one side and broke.
had asked around about adding weld and was told the heat would be conducted down the shaft and could ruin seals in pump.

Was hoping there was an aftermarket one with replaceable pulley. More heavy duty.

 

[ThaBeast]

Joe would you be able to add an idler to take some of the stress off the water pump pulley? We added an idler to stop belt slippage when we cranked up the steam genie. Never seen an 06 Cleanco, just trying to offer alternatives. I would love to get a collection of drawings and pics of different pto set ups


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[KevinL]

I've got a 2006 with my wm pro1200. That's one thing that hasn't failed. Not really much has besides radiators and clutch. It's in the shop now while I use the 2003 replacing clutch under warranty. Then the 2003 goes in for front end parts. It's always something. And we're real close to buying a rug shop.

 

[Jim Martin]

what type of tensioner is on this set up....

 

[Newman]

Is there clearance on the backside of the pully to allow bolts / washers into the existing spanner wrench holes? As long as you install 4 grade 5 bolts the hub will remain in balance.

I use this method to lock up fan clutches on demo derby cars. Works like a charm!

 

[GCCLee]

Sounds like the belt is too tight. You will really screw things up like this.

 

[JoeClean]

Well, i went with a genuine gm water pump this time. (broke one of them before too)
flushed out the blower real good and lowered the vac lift a little. Will see what happens.
Had hoped this was a known problem and someone would have the magic bullet answer.

If more problems I will look into belt alignment and tension. These seem ok, but what do I know.

 

[Shane T]

I don't think your vac lift setting should have any effect on the this issue. Make sure your fan and fan clutch assembly is in good shape and well balanced. You might be getting some vibration from this assembly which could cause the water pump flange to crack.

 

[The Great Oz]

Jim probably has the answer. A bad tensioner can ruin other parts, as can a drive belt that's a fraction shorter than it should be. We haven't had the pulley break but we have had sticky tensioners ruin pump bearings.

 

[bob vawter]

i keep thinking that you gots a reverse flow system with that truck