Does your water pump impeller spin freely?

[SMSW]

I have my front crankcase cover off for some clutch issues. The water pump impeller seems tight to me. It turns under finger pressure, but all motion stops when my finger leaves the impeller.

Should this spin freely with little or no drag? Should I be able to give it a spin and watch it coast down (like a wheel)? The bike is a 2010 ST1300 w/ not quite 30K miles.

 

[Blrfl]

The pump doesn't have the same kind of bearings as, say, an alternator, and some resistance is normal. As long as the shaft doesn't get hung up on anything and doesn't feel gritty when you rotate it, it's fine.

--Mark

 

[ST Gui]

Is the "back end" of the impeller in coolant when the engine is off and cool?

I'd think the resistance of the coolant would create some drag.

 

[SMSW]

The pump doesn't have the same kind of bearings as, say, an alternator, and some resistance is normal. As long as the shaft doesn't get hung up on anything and doesn't feel gritty when you rotate it, it's fine.

--Mark

Thanks Mark. Btw, no leakage, no grittiness, just doesnt spin like a pinwheel.

Is the "back end" of the impeller in coolant when the engine is off and cool?

I'd think the resistance of the coolant would create some drag.

The radiator is off, no coolant in the engine (Well, maybe a few dregs).

 

[ST Gui]

The radiator is off

D'oh!