Installing Power Steering Pump & Pulley - VP 8.1

[AdamIPS]

I'm planning to replace my power steering pump in the coming days on my Volvo Penta 8.1Gi-h. I think I have narrowed down my severe belt dusting issue to the pump as it begins to squeal loudly when RPMs rise to 1500 or greater. It could be my eyes, but it seems to vibrate at the same time which I think is what's causing the dusting. My entire bilge area just to the side of the pump is covered in belt dust. I'm on my second belt in a year and everything else seems to check out okay.

So far, my plans are to remove the pump and take it to Napa/O'reilly's to find a cross referenced replacement. If anyone knows what the replacement is that would help as well! After switching out the valve, it should be simple to reassemble. In the past, I have always pressed the pulley back on using the rented tool from O'reilly and just bottomed it out. Is this how the pulley is installed on the VP? I'm worried about belt alignment and want to make sure the pulley is reinstalled correctly.

Tips and hints are appreciated!

[Big Block Power]

Yes I would get a gm pump. Once you get the Volvo part number you can cross reference it to a gm number. Yes the pulley is pressed on. I would get a new pulley too. I have to look at mine. I think it's past the flush point. Every boat I've owned with a VP has had belt dust. This is my third season same result. No squealing. So it will be nice to hear your results. I've checked my all alignments too.

[AdamIPS]

I’ve got the part number, but no searches seem to pull anything up for a cross reference. For the most part, the pump itself should be pretty generic and I’ll swap my reservoir over.

When the belt dust covers everything in the wet storage area after every outing, it’s too excessive!

[cmattj]

As BB said alignment of pulleys is critical as the edge wear is actually what creates the dusting of a serp belt. Pulleys that are pressed can move over time ( especially power steering) .

[Big Block Power]

I’ve got the part number, but no searches seem to pull anything up for a cross reference. For the most part, the pump itself should be pretty generic and I’ll swap my reservoir over.

When the belt dust covers everything in the wet storage area after every outing, it’s too excessive!

Yea I will Say that's excessive. Mine after a season is just a dusting.
Whats the Volvo number. Also are you using the Volvo belt number.

[AdamIPS]

The VP power steering pump part number is 3884974 which is the same as 3860871. The belt number is 21132390 which is the same as 3889126.

[Ytmsn]

Just put a kit in it and you'll be fine. $50 bucks at NAPA for a bearing and seal. Easy Peasy.

Or.. order a pump online for $300 to $400. I just went through this last summer.

[Big Block Power]

I didn't see any gm cross over numbers either. I saw one cheaper reman one.

[AdamIPS]

Just put a kit in it and you'll be fine. $50 bucks at NAPA for a bearing and seal. Easy Peasy.

Or.. order a pump online for $300 to $400. I just went through this last summer.

That’s what I was thinking. Any advice on the pulley? Just bottom the tool out, or is it going to require some finesse to get everything lined up?

[Big Block Power]

Just put a kit in it and you'll be fine. $50 bucks at NAPA for a bearing and seal. Easy Peasy.

Or.. order a pump online for $300 to $400. I just went through this last summer.

That’s what I was thinking. Any advice on the pulley? Just bottom the tool out, or is it going to require some finesse to get everything lined up?

I just crawled out of my boat I can take a picture in a bit. I'm sure it's even. You have the tool correct.

[cmattj]

Just put a kit in it and you'll be fine. $50 bucks at NAPA for a bearing and seal. Easy Peasy.

Or.. order a pump online for $300 to $400. I just went through this last summer.

That’s what I was thinking. Any advice on the pulley? Just bottom the tool out, or is it going to require some finesse to get everything lined up?

I just crawled out of my boat I can take a picture in a bit. I'm sure it's even. You have the tool correct.

BB is correct
Flush.. shaft and pulley

[Big Block Power]

Here is a few shots.

[AdamIPS]

Thanks everyone for your help. I got the pump out and taken to NAPA. They were able to find the correct pump and I swapped my reservoir on it. I’ll post the part number when I’m near the box again. The pump itself was the same for a GM 6.0 and an 8.1.

When I was removing the pump I couldn’t see well and ended up removing the pump from the two mounting brackets. After realizing it, I removed both brackets from the engine and put them on the pump before I reinstalled. It was a bear to get it all realigned and hung on the engine again. While doing so, I dropped a bolt and it rolled forward into the drain opening then disappeared. It was an odd ball mounting bolt with a different head size, slightly longer shaft and for the life of me can’t find where it goes anyway. I was able to take one bolt off the front bracket and use it on the side which is concerning lol I’m confident the loose bolt will roll out of its hiding place and I’ll be able to reinstall after I figure out where it goes. The good news is the pump is running very quiet and it seems adequately mounted.

All in all, it took me about 4 hours. It’s definitely a two person job because of how awkward it is. Climbing into the engine bay on the port side is definitely difficult for the 6’2” human I am.

[Big Block Power]

Yep the bilge God hangs around with the anchor God and they don't play nice in the sand box
Glad you somewhat got her. What belt did you get.

[AsLan7]

Thanks everyone for your help. I got the pump out and taken to NAPA. They were able to find the correct pump and I swapped my reservoir on it. I’ll post the part number when I’m near the box again. The pump itself was the same for a GM 6.0 and an 8.1.

When I was removing the pump I couldn’t see well and ended up removing the pump from the two mounting brackets. After realizing it, I removed both brackets from the engine and put them on the pump before I reinstalled. It was a bear to get it all realigned and hung on the engine again. While doing so, I dropped a bolt and it rolled forward into the drain opening then disappeared. It was an odd ball mounting bolt with a different head size, slightly longer shaft and for the life of me can’t find where it goes anyway. I was able to take one bolt off the front bracket and use it on the side which is concerning lol I’m confident the loose bolt will roll out of its hiding place and I’ll be able to reinstall after I figure out where it goes. The good news is the pump is running very quiet and it seems adequately mounted.

All in all, it took me about 4 hours. It’s definitely a two person job because of how awkward it is. Climbing into the engine bay on the port side is definitely difficult for the 6’2” human I am.

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Great job AIPS! We had complete confidence in you.

I can tell you this little flexible spring claw has saved me more than a few times. It even reaches up into that bilge “cave” your talking about.

In any event, you’re right. That bolt will flush out soon enough. Then you can use the claw to reach it.

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