Water Pump Failure Process

[husker boxster]

When it's going out, you will smell antifreeze. But you don't have much time left at that point because antifreeze is streaming out.

[patssle]

By engine temp being at max, does that mean the light only comes on when the needle hits the red at 250 degreees?

The car I'm buying has 46k miles - so not quite up there yet in mileage. But something I will be considered if I have or do any work on it. And of course it can fail at anytime - just wanting to know what to look for!