What kind of noise does a water pump make before it goes?
 

The mechanic I took it to about a week ago said that it sounds like my water pump is about to go. I really haven't paid much attention to it but tonight I was driving home and I turned my music off and listened the whole way home. I left the car running when I got home and popped the hood and it does sound like a rough noise coming from the belt area. It could be my mind playing tricks on me but what does a water pump sound like before it goes? what kind if sounds does it make? I want to be sure before I go get one and have it put in. Could it just be the belt pully's? for the experienced ears and those of who have a lot of knowledge about water pumps let me know please.

Get a mechanic's mirror and check the underside to see if the weep hole is wet. Also inspect all around the water pump body to make sure the gasket isn't leaking.

As for the actual pump wearing out...loosen your serpentine belt and physically try to wiggle the water pump pulley assembly. If it feels loose then it's time for replacement. Otherwise, if it's tight and no wiggle, then you're fine.

While that serpentine belt is loose take the time to inspect all the pulleys in the same manner as the water pump. You might not be dealing with a water pump issue. :wink:

:) Yup, "what Vital49 just said."

Just adding a tid-bit from my experiences too: While you have the belt loose, also rotate each belt-driven device by hand (spinning them if you can) to test for "rough" bearings. :wink:

I have found this "rough sound" (and feel) to be especially true of these bearings as they begin to fail, often well before any "looseness" is present.

This will also often be true with alternator bearings, and sometimes the idler/tensioner pulley.

Let us all know what you find :idea:

yea mine turned out to be the alternator bushings

-Kennginn- "There you have it!" -my point exactly. While you are into a project, just take those few extra minutes to do a thorough check of all the components. :) Good practices sure can help reduce the embarrasments (and costs) related to maintenance actions based on too many assumptions and opinions. 8)
I had to laugh at a response I just read recently on one of these forums: (-sorry, I'd give proper credit, but I don't remember where it was). Anyway, it drove home the thought of keeping in mind how much people are "paying" for all of this "free advice" that we are passing out. -that can be taken several ways,,,, 8)

Even the best and most experienced mechanics can be tricked. Here is what I have found to be true almost every time: More time spent on careful troubleshooting, ALWAYS pays off with less time and money being spent on the actual repair.

And, BTW, I am so glad to have found these Bonneville Club Forums. What a great service to everyone. All of the administrators and everyone else that makes this happen are to be thanked and commended.

Here, here on the commendations... I whole heartedly agree!

My water pump was leaking for months before I noticed it as it didn't make any sound at all. How I figured it out was I was going through inside SC serpentine belts (two of them in 8 months) because they where delaminating slowly from the antifreeze dripping on them. Of course I couldn't see the antifreeze 'weeping' on the belt, but over time the belt would break.

Another way I figured it out was I had a strip of antifreeze (or spray marks) across the underside of the hood mat... directly above the supercharger belt. In other words, when you're looking down into the engine trying to find what's leaking, LOOK UP instead at the underside of the hood of the car for spray marks. A tell tale sign that the water pump is leaking.

Ace