Have a 96 olds. Started hearing a noise coming from either the water pump pully or the AC pully. AC hasn't worked in a while so I don't think it is from that. It is a serpentene belt running everything. Doesn't overheat but Im wondering if the water pump could be going. The belt is fairly new and tight. Don't want to change the pump If I don't need to. Anyone have any Ideas what may be causing the noise? Hate to get bent over taking it to a garage. It almost sounds like a rubbing kind of noise.
Once you have located your water pump, you need to look for some specific things to alert you about its condition. Water pumps have a weep hole that faces either to the side or toward the ground. This hole on most pumps is about half the size of a pencil. Water pumps have an internal gasket that seals this hole from the inside when it is still in good condition. As it wears, this hole will begin to earn its name and weep. Small amounts of coolant will begin to seep from this hole and make a trail down your engine.
If you see this trail of moisture or residue, make plans to have the pump replaced within a day or two if possible. If water pours from this hole when your car is idling, call your garage mechanic and take it in for repair before you drive it anymore. Fill it with coolant and drive straight to the garage. If it is a long distance to the garage, you may need a tow if the leak is really bad.
A few thousand miles before the weep hole starts screaming at you to change your pump, another sign will almost always be evident. As water pumps age, they begin to make a rhythmic squeak. Every revolution of the pump will produce a short but noticeable squeak. Your alternator can also make this some sound, but it will usually be failing electrically by that time. Your water pump will probably be showing no other visible signs when this squeak first becomes evident.
If you see this trail of moisture or residue, make plans to have the pump replaced within a day or two if possible. If water pours from this hole when your car is idling, call your garage mechanic and take it in for repair before you drive it anymore. Fill it with coolant and drive straight to the garage. If it is a long distance to the garage, you may need a tow if the leak is really bad.
A few thousand miles before the weep hole starts screaming at you to change your pump, another sign will almost always be evident. As water pumps age, they begin to make a rhythmic squeak. Every revolution of the pump will produce a short but noticeable squeak. Your alternator can also make this some sound, but it will usually be failing electrically by that time. Your water pump will probably be showing no other visible signs when this squeak first becomes evident.
