What are some symptoms of a bad water pump?

[Interex_87]

Just wondering....

I hear always overheating is one.

[1QwikMK3]

That is about all the symptoms you will notice.......your car will not flow any coolant and will constantly overheat....you may get some funny noises coming from the water pump area but that is about all.

[tsupra]

other symtoms are a squeal if the bearing is starting to seize. and you may notice coolant leaking from behind the pulley if the bearing seals are gone.

[GTXSupra]

Its very rare to have a water pump be the main cause of overheating. When it does, its because the impeller blades have rusted away. But that takes years of neglect, and like I said, is very rare. The biggest problems that water pumps have is loosing the bearing, which will cause it to leak. Under extreme circumstances, it can actually come apart and toss your fan into your radiator.

[Jones]

it's true -


Its very rare to have a water pump be the main cause of overheating.

get your extendable mirror and a flashlight and check for coolant leaking from the lower "weep" hole on the pump.
I just replaced mine. $68 for new OEM and only a 30 min job. (unless you want to flush the system. which may not be a bad idea if your running hot)

[AFGuy0127]

Depending on how long it's been leaking, there will be a lot of junk built up around the block where the pump is. Also, at idle, you should be noticing fluid dripping out of the hole on the bottom, and the belts will usually throw it all over the front of the engine compartment. That's what mine was doing.