Water Pump Bad??
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Southeast
Water Pump Bad??
I've been having to fill up my radiator every now and then. I thought it was because I'm not running an overflow tank. However, two nights ago, I drove the car to a store about 4 to 5 miles away. When I came back out, there was a fairly large puddle of antifreeze underneath. I've never noticed it dripping before, but because it was dark, all I could see was that it was dripping from right under the water pump area. Today, I had time to look at it, so I drove it around the block, let it run for awhile, and couldn't get it to drip. Well I park it, get out, and see it dripping. So I pull it back where I can see it, and it stops. 
I can see from the antifreeze though that it looks to be coming from the water pump. I also started to hear a noise today that sounded like it was coming from the pump as well, but the pulley won't move which indicates bad bearings in it. However, the fan shaft will about 1/8 to 1/4" up AND down. The lower radiator hose looks like it's been sprayed with the antifreeze from the leak, but it is not leaking from there. I fiddled with the other hoses trying to see if they had a hole or not but could not get them to leak either. Any ideas? Is there anything else I can try to see if it's the water pump or not?
I can see from the antifreeze though that it looks to be coming from the water pump. I also started to hear a noise today that sounded like it was coming from the pump as well, but the pulley won't move which indicates bad bearings in it. However, the fan shaft will about 1/8 to 1/4" up AND down. The lower radiator hose looks like it's been sprayed with the antifreeze from the leak, but it is not leaking from there. I fiddled with the other hoses trying to see if they had a hole or not but could not get them to leak either. Any ideas? Is there anything else I can try to see if it's the water pump or not?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 3
From: Wellington, New Zealand
There is a weep hole at the bottom of the pump and when the seals go it piddles water out of it. If you are hearing bad noises coming from it I would remove the fan belt and spin the pump pully, you will soon tell if it's seen better days.
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Southeast
Originally Posted by mr303
There is a weep hole at the bottom of the pump and when the seals go it piddles water out of it. If you are hearing bad noises coming from it I would remove the fan belt and spin the pump pully, you will soon tell if it's seen better days.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 3
From: Wellington, New Zealand
It should spin smoothly but there will be resistance as there is water in the system, there should be no up and down or sideways movement of the shaft. If it fells "gritty or sloppy" when you turn it buy a new one, its a easy 1 hour job to replace it.
