BobcatBob

OK up until now I've always been a happy forum on-looker with no problems.
Here's my story: The waterpump went out on my 2005 3500 5.9 cummins. I had been driving at freeway speeds and didn't hear it start making noise, my first indication was when the water temperature went up to 210...
so I found an exit. When I stopped water was pouring out from the front of my engine.
I had it flatbed'ed home 78 miles for free thanks to my AAA Plus membership.
When I pulled the pump it only had 2 beat up impeller fins left. I found two close by. I put it back together and slept on it.
The next day I took the new pump off and did some more feeling and found another fin. I also used a endoscope attached to my I Phone but didn't find anything visible. I also managed to fish with my finger 3 small pieces of non magnetic material that were directly below the mounting area of the pump. It's back together again without the water.
I began looking on line for similar problems.
One guy said to look inside the engine oil cooler. I just came in from looking at it and thought I'd ask for anyone who has had this problem or heard of it.
I could fill it with water and run it, and remove the pump again hoping to find the missing pieces.
I don't think I'm as good as "Daprex" is at doing waterpumps yet, but could be soon. Thanks for any comments...

torquefan

So I am guessing your water pump had a catastrophic bearing failure which caused the impeller to collide with the inside of the engine block and break apart. If it was mine, I'd be somewhat worried about the pieces floating around in there and eventually jamming up the new water pump.

What I would try next is to remove the water pump, attach a garden hose on to one of the heater hoses, and try to flush the pieces out of the cooling system through the water pump opening.