Water Pump

11-22-2005, 09:57 AM

I searched the forum and i've pretty sure its my water pump, thats spraying coolant. I know not to the let the car overheat, so for now, i'm just driving it to work and home its only like a total trip of less than 10 miles with no traffic, keeping a careful eye on the coolant level for one more day. Heres the deal my Uncle told me to just make sure the car doesnt run hot an bring it home and he'll change the pump for me, the trip home is like 2 1/2 hours. Now I dont doubt my uncle at all, he's the only person I will let under my hood unless i'm forced to go to the dealer. But a guy at work told me a strange story about his water pump going out and he was on vacation and decided not fix it right then, and the fan came off and some way was lodged into the radiator is this possible? Don't remember what kind of car he said but with that I got to wondering let me see how much the stealership would cost, the part is $147 and to do the replacement including parts would be $500 or $1000 depending on the engine size. Lets just say i'm not in to giving the dealer that much cash when my uncle will do it for free, but i'll give him some cash for doing it!!

jackal2000 · 11-22-2005, 10:01 AM

yea i dont see how the fan will get "lodged" into the radiator if your pump fails. what engine do you have?

jamcllw · 11-22-2005, 10:07 AM

That guy at work probably had an old engine where the fan was connected to the front of the water pump. That's not going to happen with any of the engine in the Alero's. I wouldn't drive it 2.5 hours with a leaking water pump anyways.

11-22-2005, 10:21 AM

I have a v6 for some reason can't remember the engine size right now. As far as the trip, right now seems as though I am going to have to chance it, dont have 500 for a dealer.

Thanks

jackal2000 · 11-22-2005, 10:29 AM

if your water pump failsand your car over heats you are looking at a bill bigger than 500 bucks

jamcllw · 11-22-2005, 10:32 AM

The v6 water pump is so simple to change. If you can turn a wrench you can change it in about 30 minutes. A new water pump from autozone or somewhere like that would only cost $40 max.

11-22-2005, 10:44 AM

Yea, I priced the part at Autozone and its pretty cheap. I'm not a great female mechanic, simple things I do but thats all.

11-22-2005, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jackal2000@Nov 22 2005, 03:29 PM
if your water pump failsand your car over heats you are looking at a bill bigger than 500 bucks

Quoted post

Question? In what order does this happen? For instance if i'm driving, will the car run hot, hinting the water pump is failing or will the water pump fail and car all of a sudden overheats. And also, if the car is overheating can't I just rest the car and/or add water or coolant?

Guess it is time to find me a mechanic in Houston.

sound_xtreme · 11-22-2005, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamcllw@Nov 22 2005, 10:07 AM
That guy at work probably had an old engine where the fan was connected to the front of the water pump. That's not going to happen with any of the engine in the Alero's. I wouldn't drive it 2.5 hours with a leaking water pump anyways.

Quoted post

exactly

if you were to suddenly lose a lot of coolant or the pump just flat out stopped working, the temperature would spike suddenly. like when i had my LIM leak at a certain point of coolant loss, the temp would just suddenly spike(took just a few seconds)

11-22-2005, 11:18 AM

Ok, thanks for the advice. Made a few calls and I found someone I trust to do it for me, hope he has time to do it. If he doesn't ill be back complaining.

11-22-2005, 11:50 AM

Friend will do it for me tomorrow.

jabartram · 11-22-2005, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Coogs04+Nov 22 2005, 10:46 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Coogs04 @ Nov 22 2005, 10:46 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-jackal2000@Nov 22 2005, 03:29 PM
if your water pump failsand your car over heats you are looking at a bill bigger than 500 bucks

Quoted post

Question? In what order does this happen? For instance if i'm driving, will the car run hot, hinting the water pump is failing or will the water pump fail and car all of a sudden overheats. And also, if the car is overheating can't I just rest the car and/or add water or coolant?

Guess it is time to find me a mechanic in Houston.

Quoted post

[/b][/quote]

off topic, but where are you in houston, i travel there quite often.

11-22-2005, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jabartram+Nov 22 2005, 05:11 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jabartram @ Nov 22 2005, 05:11 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Quote:

Originally posted by Coogs04@Nov 22 2005, 10:46 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-jackal2000

Quote:

@Nov 22 2005, 03:29 PM
if your water pump failsand your car over heats you are looking at a bill bigger than 500 bucks

Quoted post

Question? In what order does this happen? For instance if i'm driving, will the car run hot, hinting the water pump is failing or will the water pump fail and car all of a sudden overheats. And also, if the car is overheating can't I just rest the car and/or add water or coolant?

Guess it is time to find me a mechanic in Houston.

Quoted post

off topic, but where are you in houston, i travel there quite often.

Quoted post

[/b][/quote]

Southwest side.

jackal2000 · 11-22-2005, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Coogs04@Nov 22 2005, 11:50 AM
Friend will do it for me tomorrow.

Quoted post

good to hear

PlainOldOlds · 11-23-2005, 11:18 PM

edit: nvm

Redog · 11-24-2005, 12:35 AM

It's good that you are getting it fixed before a 2.5 hours drive, you can't open a coolant cap while the car is overheating, the rad is only under 15 psi, but the coolant will burn you.

As for the fan going into the motor, what was said, had to be an older motor with the fan on the motor itself, but still I've never heard of that.

My mech recom. Dexcool change out every 3 years

11-27-2005, 09:58 PM

Ok I had the water pump replaced but I have the intake mainfold gasket leak, also on the left side opposite the leak, I have another leak by a sensor or some type. Will have to do research to find out the sensor name, or take a pic. Mann this car is becoming a headache.

11-28-2005, 06:32 PM

i just replaced my water pump 3 days ago, part was 23bux at autozone, and i took my old pump back to the store and they gave me 15 bux, so part was 8 bux

. And it only took me about 45 minutes to replace, but you will need to take the serpentine belt and loosen in a little. but not too bad.

Menace · 11-29-2005, 09:50 AM

my water pump just died, they priced it at 200 to fix it

11-29-2005, 10:09 AM

Well I spent a total of $200 bucks on labor and part. I did not go with the cheapest water pump I went with the AC Delco part. They all maybe the same but i'm kinda funny like that. But now I have to deal with the Intake Manifold and the other leak... arggg. Debating now, b/c after the manifold that was the last problem I was willing to have fixed on the Alero,now this other leak. Mann, the HO is on its last life with me. If I find something I like and willing to pay for she may be gone soon.