Signs of a Broken Waterpump?

[Webb]

What are the signs of a broken water pump? I think that may be the reason my TR6 is overheating. I haven't checked it by taking the belt off yet, but is there a possibility it could still be broken even if it turns by hand?

 

[2wrench]

My broken water pumps have spewed water all over the place when they
died. A rather obvious defect, in my experience; but other than that,
I really don't know.

Those water pumps were not on a Triumph, though.

 

[DrEntropy]

...I haven't checked it by taking the belt off yet, but is there a possibility it could still be broken even if it turns by hand?

Absolutely. They can have a bad internal seal and still turn. The bearings can be allowing the shaft to "wobble" and it'll still turn.

Remove the belt, grab the hub and wiggle it. If you have any lateral movement, bearing is worn. If when you spin it you hear a "roaring" noise the bearing's shot. If it has a water track dripping from the "snoot" the bearing and or seal are junk. It'll turn by hand in every instance but it needs replacing.

 

[tdskip]

Is the pump area wet, especially directly below the pulley.

 

[waltesefalcon]

What Doc said.

 

[glemon]

Docs description is a good one, I will just add that in my experience they usually get noisy before they go, anything from a screch to a rumble, but they make noise, and usually leak as well, as long as it and the impeller is truning though it should still be doing its job and cooling the car, I would be surprised if the water pump as far as cooling (even though I understand the logic behind the thought, doesn't cool well, water pump helps cool the engine, water pump may be bad).

If the pump is bad you can almost always tell by taking the belt off and as the doc said chaking for lateral movement and terning it by hand to see if it turns smooth and quiet.

 

[Moseso]

What has been danced-around, but I don't think stated really clearly here, is that the normal failure mode of a water pump is for the bearings to wear, allowing the impeller shaft to wiggle enough to destroy the seal -- finally causing a big enough leak to become an issue.

Bottom line: A pump that is not leaking has probably not failed. I've never heard of the impeller ceasing to function in the absence of the bearing noise and leakage symptoms. I have <span style="font-style: italic">heard</span> of the impeller vanes eroding to the point of reducing their effectiveness -- but I've never seen it.

I agree that in the absence of a noticeable leak (coolant loss that requires frequent refilling) the overheating problem probably stems from something other than the pump. Thermostat? Crud accumulation in the radiator?

 

[John_Mc]

What are the signs of a broken water pump?

Look for these symptoms:

 

[RonMacPherson]

A quick check,if you show no leaks, or noise. Remove the radiator cap, suction out some of the fluid, where there is air space of at least 1/2 below the top of the radiator. Run engine, accelerate it from time to time and you should see rapid water flow. If not suspect the impeller or blockage somewhere.

 

[2wrench]

What are the signs of a broken water pump?

Look for these symptoms:

Very similar, very similar.

This is just proof that we just don't know
what to do with our time. That's just crazy. I wonder who paid for the man hours?

Who would have thought of such a thing, the Captain of the Fire Department??
Those water hoses are a little more than the standard household would normally
have on hand.

Hey, I know, what if we were to........

 

[DrEntropy]

"FOR SALE: Vauxhall Nova. Low miles, slight water damage on rear."


eeeeep.