Signs of impending water pump failure?

[RL7]

So apparently it is common for water pumps to fail and grenade the engine? I was not aware of this. My water pump makes some squeaking noises only when cold, but my cooling system works perfectly otherwise. Now that I've read of a few cases of catastrophic water pump failure, I'm concerned. Are there any signs/symptoms that foretell this? How common is this?

[mb3000]

Subscribed.

[stealthee]

Are you sure its the water pump squealing and not just an accessory belt?

[EvanH]

Mine didn't "grenade", but it started leaking from the weep hole.

[IPD]

if you have over 120k on your motor and you've never changed the water pump...it's time (imho).

i'd replace the harmonic dampener at the same time.

[RL7]

Are you sure its the water pump squealing and not just an accessory belt?

Yeah, unfortunately. I removed all the timing covers and the ac/alt belt and ran the engine to pinpoint the squeak. Silent in the crank/tensioner area, ps stuff was quiet, and the squeak was coming from the center of the engine. I put a metal thing to the water pump to listen and that seemed to be the spot. Almost definitely the water pump.

[RL7]

if you have over 120k on your motor and you've never changed the water pump...it's time (imho).

i'd replace the harmonic dampener at the same time.

Well... the water pump was off a jdm engine with "less than 30k" on it. I didn't replace it because I wasn't sure of the part I need (not a normal 3s waterpump). Now I kind of feel like an ass for not sourcing a new one. I probably should install an actual dampener at the same time instead of running the lightweight pulley, except I don't really care if I trash the bottom end of the motor. The heads are another story though- they must not be hurt. I wonder if a solid crank pulley imparts more stress to the water pump?

[Emilie@GZP]

it's a 3.0L engine? you would use a regular 3/S water pump. JDM engines are no different than the US Spec ones.

[IPD]

Well... the water pump was off a jdm engine with "less than 30k" on it. I didn't replace it because I wasn't sure of the part I need (not a normal 3s waterpump). Now I kind of feel like an ass for not sourcing a new one. I probably should install an actual dampener at the same time instead of running the lightweight pulley, except I don't really care if I trash the bottom end of the motor. The heads are another story though- they must not be hurt. I wonder if a solid crank pulley imparts more stress to the water pump?

you must not have read the horror stories from ray p. and others about the solid pulleys.

[RL7]

it's a 3.0L engine? you would use a regular 3/S water pump. JDM engines are no different than the US Spec ones.

It is, but it's a non-crossover block. Here's a pic of the water pump. The one I'm using now is on the left.


Apparently its part # MD973025 and isn't too difficult to find.