Suspected water pump failure
 

Got home last night and car was making an unusual noise. I took a video in the dark, and it sounds like other water pump failure noises I've heard:

https://youtu.be/eiEof53IOEU

Tonight I'll pull the belt off and crank it up to confirm. Anyone want to chime in with confirmation, or alternate theories?


Would this be safe to drive 30min to my friend's lift, or will I be stuck doing this at home on jackstands?

For anyone keeping track, this is only two days after buttoning up the alternator problems.

If you suspect a bad water pump, I would not drive it two feet..........

....don't even run the engine.

What I think you guys are saying, is that I shouldn't drive it anywhere.

Jackstands it is then. Maybe next week, or the week after that.

Remember to flush the coolant in both directions. And when you think you've flushed it enough, do it one more time. Cracked heads are a ********************.

#1 -if the impeller blades are missing chunks, you must retrieve all the missing pieces. They may be found in the Heat X !Not good.

I am not familiar with what a failing water pump sounds like. Is it the ticking in the video posted that's of concern? Other than that the engine sounded fine to me. From what I know aside from removing the belt and checking for play in the pulley or leaks a faulty water pump is difficult to diagnose. Does your car overheat? I plan to change mine the next time i do something coolant related so very interested in your outcome.

Good Luck on that! When my WP went, I had maybe 1/3 of the surface area of the blades shear off. I flushed and flushed, running everything through a big sieve I picked up somewhere or other. Never recovered a single piece. The good news: that was several years ago--not a problem has surfaced since, cracked head or otherwise. Do what you can, then drive it!

The ticking is normal... But on the video right around 22seconds I move the camera under the car in front of the passenger rear tire. At that point you can really hear the sound I would describe as a diesel truck idling.

I may have time to get the car apart and up on jacks later today to confirm.