z30dt with leaking water pump

**simon987** · 20th August 2021, 11:22

Hi all, I have a 2007 Vectra CTDi 3L diesel with the z30dt engine, it's developed a serious leak from the water pump. This is driven from timing gears at the bottom of the engine and needs some specialist injector pump locking tools to remove and reassemble.

I've phoned around a number of workshop but due to the age and rarity of the vehicle no one apart from the main dealer is willing to touch it.

I can buy the water pump along with cambelt, tensioner and V-ribbed belt (as they need replacement) for about £300, but dealer want over £800 labour to do the work, so total £1100 for a car only worth about £750 (or less).

So unless I can find someone cheaper to do the work I'm going to have to scrap it and put the money towards something else - a pity as it's on 170K miles but still running well.

Anyone know where I could get the work done at a reasonable price?

**Jon1796** · 20th August 2021, 12:17

https://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showt...ol(s)-Required

**northpole** · 20th August 2021, 12:37

just buy the pump, new timing belt and tensioner and DIY afaik the 3.0CDTI doesn't need any special tools...

**simon987** · 20th August 2021, 13:23

Hi guys, thanks for the info.
Many thanks.

**simon987** · 8th September 2021, 15:27

I've obtained the parts from Germany for a very reasonable £199, but took several weeks to be delivered. BUT having second thoughts on whether it's the pump as the water is running out underneath. As the pump is behind a sealed cover wouldn't the water end up in the sump? There's no evidence of water in the oil on the dipstick. Mechanic thought it was the pump as the water is leaking from underneath where the pump is located. Any thoughts?

**Fastcabs** · 8th September 2021, 18:26

Originally Posted by simon987

I've obtained the parts from Germany for a very reasonable £199, but took several weeks to be delivered. BUT having second thoughts on whether it's the pump as the water is running out underneath. As the pump is behind a sealed cover wouldn't the water end up in the sump? There's no evidence of water in the oil on the dipstick. Mechanic thought it was the pump as the water is leaking from underneath where the pump is located. Any thoughts?

No, water won’t end up in the sump. Most people that service their own cars would consider a water pump a maintenance replacement part anyway. You’ve got the stuff, get it fitted and worst case if you still have a leak you’ll know it wasn’t the water pump (but from what you’re describing it sounds like it is).

**Jon1796** · 8th September 2021, 19:10

Originally Posted by Fastcabs

No, water won’t end up in the sump. Most people that service their own cars would consider a water pump a maintenance replacement part anyway. You’ve got the stuff, get it fitted and worst case if you still have a leak you’ll know it wasn’t the water pump (but from what you’re describing it sounds like it is).

apart from its the z30dt lump the water pump is sat behind panel not on out side off engine.
But would continue and replace it.

**northpole** · 10th September 2021, 08:37

Dude when it rains or you drive through a puddle do you find water in the oil? yeah the answer to that is no, because the sump is sealed... the only reason for water in the sump is a busted headgasket or busted oilcooler.... now get on with the advise given and just replace the waterpump, timing belt and timing belt tensioner.

**simon987** · 11th September 2021, 18:04

I've bought the parts, going to change the pump anyway, but I reckon this is probably not the reason for the leak. If the pump were leaking it would leak water into the cover which is over the pump and timing gears. This is sealed, so can't see how the water is building up a puddle under the car - if the seal had broken they'd be oil too. Always good to take all the evidence before making a decision. I'll post what I find.

**northpole** · 12th September 2021, 10:29

so basically you've described the standard symptoms of a failed waterpump seal, we told you to replace it and you are 2nd guessing the advise, as you want to see it.. why ask for advise in the first place?

The timing cover is not sealed at all it is bolted on without a seal anywhere... it is just to prevent splashed up water from driving in bad weather conditions and foreign objects that could find their way into the engine bay from damaging the timingbelt or any of the components... if the seal on the waterpump goes it will leak, there will be no oil in it, unless there is an oil leak somewhere on the trail of the coolant seeping past the waterpumps seal... this will run down the side of the engine and form a puddle under the car.. under the cover there are no oil leaks, the sump is sealed off so it won't have any coolant in the sump creating the so called mayonnaise effect in the engine.

just get on and replace the parts we mentioned and you'll be fine.