Water Pump Question

[Franco]

Hi Guys,

I'm hearing a strange sound when the car is idling, sounds like a gear starting to go bad, the noise doesn't get any louder when driving and i only hear it from inside the car. I verified everything (to the best of my knowledge which isn't much )and the only thing i can think of is the water pump, is it starting to go bad, I sure hope it ain't something inside the engine that is starting to fail

My question to you guys is, has anyone experience a similar noise or replaced the water pump, and at what mileage and how do we notice it's starting to go, besides being stranded on the side of the road, or could it be something else

Any thoughts

Thanks

[2000SoCalBoxsterS]

Without actually hearing the sound up close I don't think anyone could give you good advice on this problem. However, if it's the water pump the car should be or very soon will be running hot. This is something you should watch for.

If it is your water (coolant pump) you will need to remove the passenger seat and engine access panel behind the seats to remove it and install a new one. Your coolant pump is behind the lower-left most pulley when looking at your serpentine belt from inside the car. Maybe pull the access hatch off and listen to it while the engine is running?

[insite]

does it make the sound regardless of whether the car is in gear? FYI, when my water pump went, it made no noise; it just started to leak. still, though, i'd remove the panel behind the seats, start the car and listen. it could be a water pump, alternator, power steering pump, ac compressor, idle pulley, etc. it should be fairly apparent if it's one of these ancilliaries.

[Tuner]

Probably not the water pump unless the pulley is loose or something. Mine bust at 71k while I was driving from Chicago to New Orleans with no overheating (middle of winter) and the only indication of failure was the spewing antifreeze when I stopped in Memphis for lunch. You wouldn't hear the water pump fail, you'd see it.

[Franco]

Originally Posted by insite

does it make the sound regardless of whether the car is in gear? FYI, when my water pump went, it made no noise; it just started to leak. still, though, i'd remove the panel behind the seats, start the car and listen. it could be a water pump, alternator, power steering pump, ac compressor, idle pulley, etc. it should be fairly apparent if it's one of these ancilliaries.

Hi, Yes it makes the noise regardless .

Thanks guys, I know it's difficult to pin point where the noise is coming from without actually hearing it, but your opinions are always helpful.

[johne4]

Here is a picture that shows all the components.

[Franco]

Hi Guys, OK yesterday when installing the new MAF i noticed the sound came from the top black T shaped section of the air intake in the center of the engine, Sorry i don't know what it's called.
I checked for any leaks and nothing ,it's more like a constant vacuum suction type of noise coming from inside.

Any other ideas guys.

Thanks