Beware F355 and 360 water pumps on Ebay from max071492!

Yes, be very careful with what you buy on eBay. I usually buy only non-critical items there, items that are not that huge of a value that I might lose sleep if it breaks or does not work. That said, I had found some really good deals on there that worked out fine.

Interesting that your tech had to drop the tank and shift rod to replace the fuel pump. I just completed a major on my car and my water pump was rebuilt. He used the rebuild kit bought from Ricambi I think, which is of the newer style that is supposed to work better but was more technique-sensitive to install properly. He had to remove and replace it 3 times to get it right (on the second try he had a local Ferrari dealer install the seals, and it still leaked), and while it was a huge PITA, he only had to lift the engine off its mounts, disconnect the coolant hoses, and move the engine back a couple inches or so to gain access to the pump. I didn't witness him do that, but he seemed svelt enough to squeeze into tight spaces ;-)

The car is perfect now and is running a great as ever. My 2c.

Cheers

 

Wow what a mess sorry to hear about your experience.

 

Yikes...what a horror story. Glad engine still intact. I'm not sure what to think as I got my 348 water pump from them (their shop is in my town..they specialize in Jaguars) and so far so good in 8 months of hard driving. I don't know if 348 pumps are easier, if I was just lucky, or you were very unlucky. It will be interesting to see if there is any other feedback on them.

 

Sorry to hear mate, this is a major pain in the ass!!

Tech removed the fuel tank and shift rods to replace the water pump.

**I am sure that is what you meant to post. **

***And the water pump can be replaced without dropping the fuel tank and shift rods***

The front pulley for the 348 water pump is pressed on.

The front pulley for the 355 water pump is a tapered shaft/fit with a locknut on the front.

I reckon the front pulley nut was not properly torqued or as mentioned, a non-OEM nut was used and it came loose.

I wouldn't be too concerned about your water pump mate, especially after 8 months of hard driving.

 

Terrible news....hopefully no major damage.

 

Was the alternator rebuilt on the first go around?

 

General rule. I stay away from parts with reciprocating mass on ebay.

 

Do you have a pic of this gas tank and shift shaft being removed?

 

I had the exact same thing happen to me only last month on my 355. I bought a water pump from a company called Eurospares ( www.eurospares.co.uk). The front nut on the brand new water pump became loose within the week of the engine being put back in. The fuel tank was also removed to fix the problem.
This is the first problem I have had with any parts from Eurospares, so I won't be advising any one not to buy from them. Though it was a royal pain in the bum at the time.

 

****, he MUST be good!!!

That's a lame excuse man, it should have been 100% before it left his shop.

 

I would not and have not ever presumed that any nuts on new or rebuilt parts are tightened correctly. Just common sense. Hard to believe an experienced mechanic would do so. Five minutes of DD would have prevented this issue. Time for a new mechanic.

 

Was that a brand new unit or refurb?

 

Re-manufactured is meant to be "just like new". Without taking it apart and doing it over your guy did what we all in the business do from time to time, take people at their word. I've had my "learning curve" with the 355/360 water pump. It's a bit harder than it looks to get just "right".

I now have the right tooling.
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That's a bit rough man, I would not have checked it either before installing it.

I have fit exchange parts on cars for the last 14 yrs. From water pumps, to starter motors to big dollar engines. I have not had or seen any failures because of poor workmanship.

This problem here was a simple case of leaving the nut loose/incorrect torque and/or the wrong nut being used. Kinda hard to believe this from someone with "40 yrs" in the business, but going on that fact I would trust his work without a doubt hoping he did a good job.

I know and understand what you're trying to say- this 355 water pump being a critical engine component and all, but if you start to second guess everyones workmanship other than your own.......................you're in deep trouble.

****I have an exchange/rebuilt p/steering pump to fit tomorrow morning to a 1991 Toyota Celica. NO WAY I will be double-checking the torque on the nut holding on the front pulley. ****

+1, I totally agree with you there mate.

The water pump rebuilder is a professional, you have to trust that he did a good job and I bet 99.99% of the time he does do good work.

We all know what happened here and it's a shame he is trying to put the blame on your mechanic for not checking the torque on that nut.

Very good sir!

 

That really makes no never mind because the company is Eurospares, who are an established exotic car spares supplyer.
Though as it happens the pump was a brand new unit bought from them.

 

The plot thickens.........

 

They are a supplier. Not a manufacturer. My question was just to establish if it was a new or reconditioned unit. Thanks for answering though...

 

the joys of a rebuilt waterpump. i had mine leaked after it was installed by a highly recommended shop. the shop blamed the supplier, the supplier blamed the shop for an incorrect install. in the end i had to pay for two engine drops and a brand new pump. i will never buy a rebuilt waterpump again.

 

I think you may be a little confused. At no time did I suggest Eurospares manufactured the water pump.
And your welcome

 

Hello PAP 348. If you are interested in my storys conclusion. My particular problem was in the keyway that is located under the pulley. When the pulley was removed it was discovered that the key way was bigger that the key that was located in it. Thus caused the centre hole in the middle of the pulley to become larger that standard due to the extra keyway movement. Causing the pulley to wobble and of course causing the nut to loosen.
A new keyway was machined and a new pulley located.
How the hell this happened during manurfactoring of a new pump, we will never know. I hope this may help someone one day.