Do I need a new water pump?

TeamGreen · January 12, 2002

Well in my auto class we were learning about cooling systems and anyhow the teacher said that if you can feel play in you fan when you pull it back and forth then your water pump is worn out. Well on my chevy 350 I decided to try this and the fan has some play in it. On the freeway I can hear a raddle sound when I accelerate hard. It sounds like it could be coming from the water pump bearing from being worn but not sure. Do you think that my water pump should be replaced? If so then I will try to replace it. thanks in advance

January 12, 2002

Yes, it needs to be replaced. What you are hearing on acceleration and feeling in the wiggle is worn out water pump bearings.

TeamGreen · January 12, 2002

Would this be hard to change by myself? Would I just have to drain the coolant and take off the fan? Do I need to replace the whole water pump or just the bearings and gasket?

MountaineerTom · January 12, 2002

Would this be hard to change by myself? Would I just have to drain the coolant and take off the fan? Do I need to replace the whole water pump or just the bearings and gasket?

It should be pretty easy on your truck. Drain the coolant and remove the fan like you said. You may want to remove the fan shroud to have more room to work. I replaced the water pump on the '88 4 cyl Beretta we used to have and it was a tight fit to change it out because the engine sat in there sideways, but not really hard. On your V8, especially if you remove the fan shroud, you should have plenty of room.

Good luck.

Oh, and I would replace the whole pump if it were me.

2001 HD · January 12, 2002

Check your fan clutch real good. It may be worn and not your water pump. If the pump is so worn out and you can feel that much play, odds are your seal will be gone and you should see fluid leaking from the bottom side of the pump. There is a little 3/16" drain hole in line with the shaft. If coolant is coming out of the drain hole, then the pump needs to be replaced.

I would spend the money for a new replacement pump and not rebuilt, if you are planning on keeping the truck.