I think my water pump is going bad.

That does not sound good o.O

Yes, but not always does it happen to create such drastic results.

Mine did start to sound similar to what you describe. It sat for 3 yrs before I bought it with 8k on a 60k. 3 weeks into owner ship the sound appeared.

The pump froze at 55mph the idler self destructed, the tensioner followed. The crank teeth stripped the belt smooth. I assumed carnage, but valves and pistons survived unscathed!

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dcIEIvS3Pfc/Su...belt%20002.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dcIEIvS3Pfc/Su...belt%20004.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dcIEIvS3Pfc/Su...0/DSC_5421.JPG

Luck, maybe! I would definitely figure it out before finding out the hard way though...

I just hope to get the pin back in my tensioner to save myself another $75. I am replacing the pump next weekend when I get some money in.

If you need a new tensioner, I have one with ~8k miles on it...You should be able to get the pin in using a vice :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by terrets

If you need a new tensioner, I have one with ~8k miles on it...You should be able to get the pin in using a vice :)

---

Hopefully I can get the pin in before pulling the belt off.

Hah good luck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by steve68

Waterpumps often go bad because the headgasket has already failed, there's an increase in pressure in the cooling system, that makes the pump seal fail, water gets into the pump bearings, it seizes, the cambelt melts, 24 bent valves.

Steve

---

I think you're smoking the good shit again.

Water pumps fail due to age and usually the bearings failing. If a headgasket were bad, he'd know it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stealthee

I think you're smoking the good shit again.

Water pumps fail due to age and usually the bearings failing. If a headgasket were bad, he'd know it.

---

I was gunna say, I compression checked it at 155psi. No water in the exhaust and it doesn't spray out of the thermostat when the cap is off and I am cranking the engine.

The knocking you are hearing sounds like it could be a timing belt slap from a possible failing tensioner.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stealthee

The knocking you are hearing sounds like it could be a timing belt slap from a possible failing tensioner.

---

This is something I am going to check. But if that were the case, shouldn't I hear it more on the front exhaust cam than on the water pump? I mean the water pump is LOUD with a stethoscope, and the cams are fairly quite, even on the cam caps, not the valve cover.

Also, I have turned it on and off several times to get the motor in different positions, even turning it backwards slowly by hand and forwards as well. I don't ever see any excessive slack in the belt. I also have had a tensioner fail completely and some how caught it before it messed anything up and it doesn't sound like this, but then again, if it is starting to fail, it could sound different.