Need quick answer, waterpump issue

[Sharkcus]

Looks like i have the infamous "broken water pump" syndrome. Here is my question:

Is it safe to drive home to my garage 15 miles away?

There is a grinding noise, I am not loosing MUCH coolant and I could bring extra with me. However, the actual waterpump shaft/pulley is causing the noise because it is moving in and out about an inch from the waterpump. putting it on a Tow Dolly would be tricky because the spyder trim is so low to the ground, plus I dont have the money right now to tow it.

So again... can i get away with a quick 15mile highway trip staying at 55mph?

 

[NOSLO2PT0]

nope. Car only takes 2-3 minutes of constant driving to reach operating temps. Won't take no time over heat that sucker. 1-2 miles you might get away with, but no way 15.

 

[Sharkcus]

oh noes!

but it appears to be "pumping" still and spinning, just grinding a lot. I drove to work with it grinding and i didnt heat up THAT much... I can probably keep it cool, I was just more concerned with pieces coming off internally in the WP and getting into my coolent lines, rad, etc...

Thanks for the input, I am glad to see somebody is listening to me =)

 

[DiamondStarCar]

My waterpump went out and kept throwing the belt off because of how much it was moving back and forth. Sucks. Anyway, I drove about 10 miles to the nearest and cheapest place I could get it fixed. It was heating up like crazy, I lost my power steering (alternator belt flew off), and none of the guages worked correctly (ex. oil pressure guage). That may seem hardcore to do that to a car, but I was already so pissed off at I simply didn't care. Watch that temp. guage and carry extra coolent...just in case. If you are planning to do it yourself, it's alot of work (it's behind the timing belt) so be prepared. Otherwise get ready to fork out around $300 total for parts and labor...and that's cheap according to my research. Good luck.

 

[boostedinaz]

Why take the chance????? Just have it towed or have a friend pull it behind a truck. If you over heat your engine then you could damage the head and that will cost alot more then a water pump. Plus if the pump has that much play in it then it is most likely starting to dig into the block.

 

[Sharkcus]

hey thanks for your help... As it turns out, I got about 1/4 mile in it and the alternator/Power steering belt fell off.... I wasnt about to chance it so i had it towed...

Just for future reference, mitsu dealer=$360 (I already brought new WP, timing belt and the other belt) so the price was just labor. They wanted $800 for the whole job, parts and all.

 

[boostedinaz]

Just for future reference, mitsu dealer=$360 (I already brought new WP, timing belt and the other belt) so the price was just labor. They wanted $800 for the whole job, parts and all.

This is why I work on my own cars.

 

[SpoolnTsi]

This is why I work on my own cars.

Im the same way

 

[Strm Trpr]

Im the same way

Agreed.... I called Satan and asked him what they charge to do a timing belt...
They said the following.... $495 + tax...
All that gets me is a new T-Belt, and they check everything else....
I rebuilt the whole front of my engine replaced everything, did a BSE too, including fluids and everything.... I didn't break $500.... no lifter tick, and no leaking oil.... not a drop....

Glad to here you got her fixed....