Author Topic: How to tell if water pump broken? (Read 2510 times)

juliea · « **on:** January 12, 2013, 11:13:09 PM »

My car is overheating, no heat - so assuming I'm having a problem with coolant system flow. Thermostat was replaced about a year ago because it was easy while doing repairs on the front of the engine, so I'm worried it might be the water pump. Anyone know of a good way to test?

92BMW318is · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2013, 12:03:06 AM »

Quote from: juliea;119184

My car is overheating, no heat - so assuming I'm having a problem with coolant system flow. Thermostat was replaced about a year ago because it was easy while doing repairs on the front of the engine, so I'm worried it might be the water pump. Anyone know of a good way to test?

I just did a waterpump. Mine was rattling and would turn hard the power stearing went out then the heat. If you don't hear any grinding and your pump spins then I would say you might have some kind of clog within the system. Have you noticed any leaks? Is the radiator full or is the coolant level slowly decreasing. Is there any coolant? Loosen up your belts spin the waterpump. Check your coolant levels. Listen for strange rattling/grinding noises. Try flushing the radiator.

juliea · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2013, 12:16:30 AM »

Coolant level has been stable, and there's plenty of it. No grinding noises but I heard that the impeller blades have a tendency to break off...

92BMW318is · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2013, 01:45:42 AM »

Found this

Maybe it can help.
http://autospeed.com/cms/title_Water-Pump-Testing/A_110478/article.html

juliea · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2013, 10:12:38 PM »

Hmm car just started making a screechy sound - like belt noise - maybe this could be the pump going out? Going to try tensioning the belts to see if that fixes it...otherwise looks like I might be replacing the pump.