Water Pump????

[ranger690]

Hello,

I went to start my car this morning, and The serpentine belt was squeeking real bad and I noticed a green liquid leaking underneath my car ( antifreeze) I didnt let it warm up for real long as I had to leave, I got a mile down the road and while shifting through the gears and giving it throttle It was squeeking real bad. I turned around and went back home. I turned it off and about 5minutes later started it again. The squeeking only lasted a few seconds, I was able to go to work 18 miles away and it made it fine. I watched my temp guage and it moved no higher than A and a little lower than L So it wasnt overheating. but moving around more than usual I normally warms up than stays between A And L.

I guess my question Is what going on My buddy who is pretty mechanically inclined said my water pump is likly going out. Is this a fact? How long do I have before It gets real bad? and How much of a pain is it to replace.

Any help would be appreciated
Thanks,
Kyle

 

[rubydist]

Sounds like its pretty bad already.

The biggest risk is that the coolant leaks onto the crank sensor and kills it, then the car doesn't run at all, stranding you wherever you are.

Its not hard to replace, but a lot of stuff needs to come off to do it. I recommend a full front 60k maintenance if you haven't done all that recently - timing belt, crank sensor, crank seal, 3 cam seals at least, along with the water pump.

Take a look at shophoenixproject.com, they have a very good tutorial.

 

[93rev2sev]

Sounds like either a water pump or a busted coolant hose.

 

[GreenPlus]

Yep most likely the pump or hose. If you have to replace the pump, might as well replace the tb and crank sensor. It would suck to take that stuff apart and have the crank sensor crap out a few months later.

 

[ranger690]

It stopped leaking once warmed up, I hope it is just a hose but it never works that way. I can smell antifreeze in the cab when the heat is on also, that is why i hope it is a hose but Im prepared for a 60k.

thanks

 

[shobote]

IF you are smelling coolant inside the car with the heater on, it could be a leaking heater core. You do not want to inhale those fumes inside the car, as they are somewhat toxic. It is a PITA to replace heater cores in most cars, not sure what it takes in a SHO but in my Mitsubishi, required 8 hours of labor at the dealer; luckily had the 100k mi warrantee since the bill would have been $1200