I've noticed that there seems to be some slack in my water pump pulley. I guess that's what it's hooked to. It's the one that the fan runs off of. With the engine running, I notice some wabble in it. I fear that the fan's going to come flying off and go through the radiator or hood. How much wabble, if any, is acceptable? Does this mean that it's time to replace the water pump or is there a less involved fix for this?

Thanks,

 

Yea, if it's wobbling, it needs replacing

 

Make sure it is not just a bent pulley.

 

I don't think it's a bent pulley. The fan feels a bit loose and I think I can hear it vibrating in the car. Looks like I'll be replacing it. Seems like that's all I've been doing lately is replacing stuff...alternator, power steering pump/hoses, now water pump. I have to say, getting the new p/s pressure hose run and connected was about as close as I've come to just stepping back and throwing wrenches at the car. What a pain in the rear that was. Next project after wp is rebuilding the ps control valve to fix those leaks and I'm not really looking forward to it.

 

If your fan feels loos, then your pulley bolts may be loose.

 

+1 check your bolts first