Signs of a dying water pump?

[V8 Killer]

What are the signs of a dying water pump? besides overheating

[Merlin]

some times they will make a distinct noise. Mine went bad a year ago, and you can hear a noise that resembles a bad bearing or something like that. It was very easy to tell since it is right up frount and also pretty easy to replace.

[V8 Killer]

I've heard that it also leaks coolant through the weephole on the bottum of it as a sign if it failing? When it fails,does it ever COMPLETLY fail? meaning totally stop circulating coolant or does it just lose efficency circulating coolant?

[Merlin]

yeah you are right mine was also leaking and making a damn mess. I've never had one completely fail but I think they can function for a long time even if they sound messed up. I dont want to tell you ... no problem run it for 6 months! but it is not such a big deal. How long have you noticed the problem? Mine was not heating up but I had to refill the radiator often.

[V8 Killer]

I'm not actully too sure it's even failing..I've just been having overheating problems lately and I've checked everything except the water pump.Radiator is fine and clean,coolant is clean and mixed right.I even added in "Water Wetter" for added cooling.Cooling fans work fine and the 180 degree thermostat and hoses are fine.My last place to look is the water pump.It does not make any sounds or leaks.The car gets up to 230 degrees in traffic with cooling fans on and I have to turn the heat on full blast on a 90 degree day to get me through traffic with out overheating and blowing head gaskets..

[Merlin]

My father explained to me when he helped me change it that when they go bad and start leaking it doesnt mean that they become less efficient but the bearing goes bad (thus the noise) and it lets water leak out (sorry for the lack of details). But if it is not leaking and not making noises then it probably is ok.

Why dont you just do a radiator flush? My car is heating up a lot more now too but it is just the damn heat.

[V8 Killer]

Originally posted by Merlin:


Why dont you just do a radiator flush?

I did one 3 days ago when I started noticing the car was running too hot for my taste.I even ran it with the Radiator cleaner flush liquid to get all the crap put of there.

[V8 Killer]

Maybe its the radiator cap,Im going to pick up a new one tomarrow and see if it helps.

[V8 Killer]

Well new Radiator cap is in and no effect on high temperature.I think Im going to get the JET fan switch so it will turn the fans on at 176 and shut off at 166.

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

This may sound stupid, but remove your radiator shroud and make sure there is no bags or anything that have lodged in there that are blocking the radioator.

I had a friend of mine whose Camaro would always over heat he changed out the thermo,water pump, all hoses, radiator, possily anything you can think of that has to do with cooling. The culprit was a bag that had got stuck between the radiator. Only way to see that is to take off the radiator shroud.