Thread: Another water pump failure

Late last week, as I was rounding a corner I heard a strange rattley noise that lasted a few seconds and then stopped. Shortly after I heard a screeching/whistling sound that was quiet and lasted for a very short time.

I couldn't work out what it was.

After about 1km, the whistling started again as I rounded a corner so I pulled up to check. The I saw the steam from under the bonnet. Initially thinking it was smoke, I was going to bail and let it go but I opened the bonnet to see water everywhere.

I assumed a blown hose but I couldn't find anything so I popped off the top fan shroud coverplate and then saw that the fan was cocked over at an angle.

Another water pump where the bearings had collapsed. This is the second pump where this has happened. This pump was new and fitted when I had the engine rebuilt 35,000km ago in Oct 2007.

When I got the serpentine belt off, I found the pulley was locked solid. I'd been hearing the belt slipping.

So, having NRMA Premuim Care, I called for a flatbed to get the Rangie home.

However, as many will know, I have a lot of luck with getting stuff.

After an hour when the towie still hadn't arrived, I called the NRMA to chase it up. I was told the truck's winch had failed so another truck had to be called. It finally arrived after 2 hours waiting in suburban Penrith.

Note how the impeller is off-centre and scraping the housing. The rear bearing has collapsed.

No warning at all. Ditto when I had a similar failure previously. In that instance, I'd been to the markets, was on my way home when the pump failed as I crossed Victoria Bridge in Penrith

I had to keep going to get off the bridge. Those of you who know the old bridge at Penrith know what a disruption I'd have caused if I'd stopped on the bridge!

(Not my pic)