[MR2] Ongoing problem, will not start, mk2T

[James]

For what it's worth, I second Kurt's advice below.  I'll add however,
that I HAVE had a catastrophic water pump failure - on an old Toyota
Celica.  I hadn't picked up on any leaks or unusual noise, until it
tossed a belt and started overheating.  I'd never seen a water pump
fail like this before.  the bearing had failed, the shaft was cocked
over at an angle, and it was frozen solid.

Another possibility might be that the starter solenoid failed and the
the drive gear's still engaged.  As Kurt suggested, once you've
eleminated all the externals, it must be internal.

Good luck and keep us posted.

James

> From: Kurt Krueger <telek2 at verizon.net>
>
> Water pump uses a centrifugal impeller.  It's not likely to have a definite
> range of motion like you experience.  Oil pumps use gears to move
> oil (at least most do).  A broken tooth could behave like you observe.
>
> If it were my engine, I'd continue like you did with the alternator.  Start eliminating
> things that turn.  Anything else turned by a belt, then distributor, then remove
> the timing covers and deal with the timing belt (3rd gen does have a timing belt,
> right?).
>
> I hope you find something.  If you do all the above an it still won't turn, you've got
> something internal to the engine.  Like a thrown rod.
>