I was driving home the other night and when I turned down my street I heard a loud squeeling sound. I revved a little not knowing what it was - it went away. I went to turn into my drive way and woop - no power steering! I got out and popped the hood right away and the belt was off. I grabbed the flashlight and saw that (what I think is the water pump) was resting up against the motormount. If you look at the side of the engine and make a diagonal line from the power steering pulley to the tensioner then to the pulley continuing southeast on this line that is the broken one. it seems that the whole pump snapped right off of the engine. I have heard something about maybe the tensioner causing this to happen and I plan to replace the water pump tomorrow. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

-William

A tensioner does not cause a water pump pulley to break off. We have actually seen one case where the shaft of the water pump sheered off. Pictures would be invaluable in this situation.

Welcome to Bonneville Club, William.

Can't tell from your description exactly what is going on. I would put it up on jackstands, remove the RF wheel and inner splash shield and have a close look. We are here to help when you can learn a little more about what happened. As Bill Boost said, pictures here would really help. :?

You say that the whole water pump broke off??

Wow! That may be the first time I've heard that one on here. While pictures will surely help, my first guess would be that your pump froze up and the squealing sound was it'* last death throes. When you revved it, you may have applied enough torque to a frozen water pump pulley to break a faulty casting.

Anyway, that'* just a guess based on your first description. Pictures would really help!

If you have problems or questions regarding posting pictures, look here:

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alright - after five hours of work the beast was saved.

Sorry for not getting you guys more involved, but I took a closer look and noticed something which made me quite happy - the water pump was securely where it needed to be. Prior to this incident I had heard a sound which resembled that of a lifter knock - it now seems as though it was a bearing in the Water Pump and that the water pump was on its death bed. I removed the motor mount, jacked up the engine, removed the old water pump and realized just how busted it was - lets just say it took some force to turn the pulley. Slapped on the new water pump and reassembled everything - put a new serpentine belt on and checked to make sure everything was alright with the tensioner.

I was somewhat more educated with this engine than I thought I would be when I realized that it was the same setup as the car I had two years ago; a 1990 Olds Toronado. So now she'* running like a dream again with only a few minor issues to deal with (the largest being these three: -Gas leak (garage thinks its the sending unit) -Rear breaks issue (clanking while stopping) -Minor oil leak (very slow and minute)) Day two of having the car I had to bypass the little power steering cooler and pull it off the car because of a major PS fluid leak... Hopefully I won't have any major problems for awhile...

Thanks for all the effort in helping me - and I promise I won't post asking for help again and let your input go unconsidered.

Thanks!
-William