Hot_Dog

I am the original owner of a '90 RX7 GXL with nearly 138k miles on the chassis. One cold morning (~30F) last week, on my way to work, I tried to start my car and it turned over very slowly. After cranking for about 5-10 seconds with no start, I let up on the key. I thought to myself, WTF?...this is odd as the car usually fires right up. I smelled some gas, so I floored the gas pedal and tried again. This time, after a few seconds, the engine fired up. Then, Holy $hit!, I heard loud screeching noises from under the hood as well as some smoke and burning rubber smell. I popped the hood and went to check where the noise was coming from. I the PS pump was not turning! So, I though that either the pump or the idler pulley had froze-up. This was odd because I had no problems the evening before when I came home from work. So, I drove to work (~15 miles) with a suspected seized PS pump. BTW, the screeching noises stopped after about a minute of driving. Once at work, I removed the belt and am currently driving w/o PS. The PS pump seized. The fluid level appeared low...I didn't notice any fluid on the dip stick. I usually check PS fluid level about every other month during an oil change. I suspect that the fluid might have leaked out through the shaft seal. I did notice a number of drops of oil on the ground in my daily parking spot at work. I did replace all the PS pump hoses a few years back so I don't think my problem is with the hoses.

Later that same day, I ordered online a rebuilt PS pump, which will is to arrive in about 2-weeks. The GXL uses an engine speed sensing PS pump. These pumps are apparently hard to come by. None of the local chain auto part stores had them in stock. Rockauto had several listings from pump rebuilders, but they all required that bad PS be sent to them in advance and they will rebuild your pump. Again, none in stock. Surprisingly, I ordered a rebuilt PS pump from Summit Racing! I was surprised that they had a part for a Jap car! Maybe some of the racers use this style pump in their race cars? So anyway, it set me back about $90 plus $25 core charge. So it looks to me like the pulley mounting flange is part of the pump (although, I can easily remove it with a puller). Does anyone know if this flange comes with a rebuilt pump?

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

hopefully it is the correct pump, you're right, summit and jegs don't normally deal with imports so i am high skeptical.

the pulley is easy to remove, just take off the 17mm nut and pop it off, it is on a keyed shaft.

and be sure your pulley isn't wobbly, as that may have been what snapped the old pump shaft.

Hot_Dog

Summit's online photo looked exactly like my PS pump. Also, it's an AC Delco rebuilt pump and the p/n was the same as on Rockauto's website. So, I guess we'll see shortly if it's the correct pump.

Thanks for the info on the pulley flange. Also, there seemed to be a little wobble in the shaft (as in a bad bearing), but I didn't have much leverage when I check since I had already removed the pulley.