Comments on: How to Tell if a Car's Water Pump Needs Replacement

on 10/22/2008 you should never put stop leak or anything in your coolant system other than water because it will get into your heater core and then you'll have a whole mess of other problems

on 8/12/2008 1) The water pump on my Honda Accord lasted 200,000 miles...way to go Honda!
2)Typically when a water pump begins to leak it doesn't cause enough water loss to leave you stranded on the side of the road, but it does need to be replaced/repaired.
3) Engine coolant tends to be "thinner" than water and will leak through a bad water pump seal quicker than will water. So, if you see green coolant on the floor under your car, look for the location of its origin. If its near the water pump have it checked or replace it. Your cooling system could hold water but leak coolant--sounds strange, I know, but it happens.
4) Here are two temporary fixes for leaks to get you down the road: (a) coarse ground pepper-pour a 1/2 teaspoon in your radiator. It works for a while, (b) radiator sealer (like BarsLeaks) lasts maybe 5000 miles, (bonus #3)a raw egg-as seen on Mythbusters. DISCLAIMER: Remember,

on 7/25/2008 Notice that if you smell like rubber burning..it has something to do with your water pump damage..or check for radiator and even thermostat and leaking on hoses..that should be good!!

on 11/28/2007 Water pump: i just discovered oily liquid wet the parking floor from a used mazda 626 saloon car that i just got. my mechanic told me we need to replace the water pump but i asked what may have happened to water pump for it to leake sunddenly and cant answer so i doubt his reccommendation. Ola

on 10/10/2007 In my car Dodge neon 1998, i heard a sound as if something is loose in the bonnect. I knew something was wrong but did not pay muc attention. Later I realized the car was overheating. Then i saw the smoke comming out of the timing belt case (that is where the pump is underneath). Finally the engine stopped and i had to tow my car. There was big smoke comming from the bonnet. I also saw big leaks in the bottom of the car. Anyone has any idea, do i have to change the radiator as well, as the mechanic is asking me. And how about tension pulleys.

on 7/26/2007 I had a new water pump put in my car in October. My warrenty is up and it is leaking. Is there a simple fix?

on 8/20/2006 GM went all out on the SBC in 1992 (until 1997) and redesigned the block to accept a gear driven water pump which mated to an idle gear which meshed with the cam drive sprocket.

This gear drive eliminated any slipping belt issues and allowed the pump bearing to be between the pump vanes / case and the engine block. The bearing was also redesigned to be smaller and permit higher RPMs without issues.

While these pumps last over 200,000 miles typically (mine went 230,000 before I voluntarily pulled it for a project), there is a weep hole under the drive shaft that indicates if the drive shaft's bearing seals are going south. There is one seal next to the vanes, and another just after the weep hole and before the drive shaft exits the back of the pump case (and then enters the engine block).

If the weep hole is moist, that is normal operation due to the pressures and heat expansion of the coolant. But if the weep hole is actively dripping or worse, it's time to pull it and get a replacement seal pressed in.

Not all water pumps are belt driven.

on 1/13/2006 Too bad this engine doesn't have an external pulley to visually inspect and check for looseness. This engine's water pump is driven by the timing belt, which is behind the timing belt cover on the passenger side of the engine.

on 11/22/2005 There is a drain hole underneath the shaft housing to drain fluid to the outside of the engine when the seal fails. This is often mistaken for a gasket failure. Bearing failure and seal failure often go together because if the bearing fails, the shaft won't run straight through the seal because of belt tension and the seal leaks. Also, if the seal leaks, the coolant will ruin the bearing. If the belt is not adjusted correctly, it will lead to premature water pump failure.

on 11/22/2005 Sometimes the color of your oil leak is hard to identify, espically if the fluids are burnt, dirty, or have alot of miles. Here's a simple way to tell what color the fluid is. Take a white piece of paper, napkin, or kleenex and dip it into the spot of oil. The color of the leak is an important factor in determining what component or components need attention. This is also helpful when your finger is dirty!!

on 11/22/2005 I have a suggestion from many car owners and I experience about changing water pump at the same time changing timing belt. It will save you time, money and headache. And only use genuine parts to replace for a long run.

on 11/22/2005 On a 3.9L 1995 Dodge Dakota, the water pump has a weep hole in the front of it. If the seal around the shaft is ruined (usually due to bad bearings) then coolant will leak out of this. You probably won't hear any noise out of the pump. What you probably will hear is a tremendous amount of noise due to your drive belt being covered in coolant. When you look under the hood, you will see that below the central pulley (which is the water pump pulley), everything is slightly wet from the fan blowing coolant all around. Unless you have a long arm and a mirror, you probably won't be able to see the weep hole actually leaking.
Of course, perhaps in your case one of the hoses are leaking. However, in my experience, with 135,000 miles on my truck, the water pump went out but the hoses look almost brand new.
Good luck, and try checking out my web page on the whole 1995 Dodge Dakota 3.9L water pump replacement procedure at garulf.dyndns.org. It isn't up 24-7 as it is served off of my home computer. Try back at different times.

on 11/22/2005 Failed water pumps don't always leak or make noise. I know of a nylon impeller on a nearly new pump that developed cracks, and eventually slipped on the shaft. Overheat was initially intermittent and eventually persistent.

on 11/22/2005 Put a piece of clean cardboard, approx 4ft X 6ft, under your warmed up car. Park it overnight. In the morning carefully check for spots before driving the car away. Look where the spots are on the cardboard then look up to see the leak.