Started hearing a light squealing noise, like a slipping belt, on the way home from work. Checked it out when I got home, the water pump squeaks when I spin it. I won't have time for the next couple of days to replace it. Anybody have an idea on how far they'll go before they sieze up? I only put on 25 miles a day, most of it low speed, I'd like to put this off 'till the weekend if I can.

 

Do you feel lucky???? That is about as good as a guess as I would give you. The water pumps on these are only held on by two bolts. They are easy to change. Why risk it?
Tom

 

I would guess that you should get to the end of your driveway safely. But if you get that far you will probably try to go farther. Maybe about half way there or someplace that is a long walk on a cold nasty day it will let go and take out a few other things like is typical of catastrophic failures. Right now it is the cost of a water pump and some labor. After a catastrophic failure it will be a tow bill, water pump, belt, possibly a fan and radiator, possibly overheating the motor and taking out the head gasket and warping the head, and antifreeze with conditioner. How lucky are you feeling?
I think the answer to your question is obvious, park it and get a ride. A taxi cab could be cheaper.

 

It's cold enuff out now, go find a road-kill deer and keep it in the bed. If it goes on ya, throw the deer through the grill so the insurance will cover you...

JK, I don't think I'd risk it, your gonna probably have to wait for parts for our trucks anyway.

 

Well, it's gotta get me through at least two days. Keeping my fingers crossed. I can pick up the pump at the truck parts store tomorrow, I just have no way to put it in until Thursday. You can barely hear it, and it spins pretty free. Thanks for the input, now I'll be totally paranoid for two days.

 

No problem. I'm glad I helped you rest easier. Good luck

Howard

 

Don't be all that paranoid. I have a ranch truck whose water pump has been squealing for two years.
Big difference though is it never travels more than five miles from home and isn't worth even a thousand dollars.

 

Real soon-about as long as it takes for you loan out the KDP jig! Have the cure for that now! Peen it in and install tab-way easier than we thought! Hope it lasts for you! HA HA!

 

Well, it made 25 miles without locking up, and was quieter yesterday then when it started squealing. I managed to swap it yesterday, took more time to drain and refill the coolant than to swap the pump. No leaks and no noise (well, not from the water pump). Thanks for feeding my paranoia.

 

Always glad to help out a friend. You got lucky and didn't have any problems. You know what would've happened if we all said yea, no problem, go ahead and drive it? Murphy and company would have prevailed.

 

these engines have the easiest water pump swap hands down... like you said, takes more time to drain and re-fill the coolant than it does to pop a new water pump in.

Forrest

 

REDLEG,i like the frozen deer idea,that's a good one

 

Yeah, until you needed, it aughta help with rear traction too.

 

Too bad it doesn't stay below freezing around here all winter. Ya can't eat concrete.

 

wannadiesel,

It looks like a front-end collision would cause you and your passenger a major headache.