Leaking water pump???

[mac 108]

Well I took the 91 GS-T through inspection today, it passed finally. Then on they way home it lost the ps, wp, alt, belt. Apparently coolant had leaked off onto the pulleys and it slipped off. When I looked under the car, there was coolant leaking down onto the crank pulley. If I put the belt on would I be able to make the 2-3 mile drive home avoiding a tow? What has gone wrong? Is it the water pump, HG, or something else? I couldn't see any leaks, just coolant leaking from somewhere.

 

[diablos991]

Check to see that the pulley still spins freely.

Sometimes the water pump will lock up. If you are leaking coolant Its up to you if you want to risk the drive.

If you are going to attempt it, keep a close eye on the gauge and be sure that you have plenty of water or antifreeze to keep filling it up on the way with.

How bad is the leak? did you hear any funny noises before it went?

 

[mac 108]

The leak is not that bad, it stayed cool until the belt came off. The temp was higher than normal, but no reason to be alarmed. I did hear noises, but I had thought it was that PS fluid had leaked onto the belt and it was slipping. I was on the way home when I noticed it, so I just had to hope that I would make it. But yes there were some funny noises coming from that area while I was driving.

 

[diablos991]

It ultimately comes down to if you want to risk it or not. Our cars are very sensitive to overheating. If I was in you position I would wait until the weather cools off, put a belt on and verry carefully drive it home. But I wouldn't let the temp get very high. (I hate paying for tow trucks)

I take no responsibility if you hurt your car while doing this.

If the water pump is out then the car will overheat very quickly because it wont push coolant through the system.

Since its a GS-T maybe you could get a buddy with a tow rope and get it home that way.

 

[mac 108]

Yeah I figure I will put the belt back on later this evening and see if I can ease it home.

 

[diablos991]

Well good luck and let me know how that goes.

P.S. be sure to check that the water pump pully still rotates. If it doesn't I would imagine that Cranking it could possibly cause the fins of the water pump to shave some metal filings into your coolant passages that have the potential to clog stuff up.

Godspeed.

 

[mac 108]

Well the water pump is dead, I am having it towed home