New water pump or something else??

"Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2" (pompei426)
08/15/2015 at 21:51 • Filed to: None

My car usually runs nice and cool. Today it was 95 degrees out and the water temp gauge started rising above normal levels. Didn’t think it was because of the heat, but I figured it could be the cause . . . until I started hearing a light screeching noise above 3 grand. Took her home and let her cool down. Took her out and in less than a mile the car was already in the danger zone and still making noise. The coolant is 3 months old, though I was stupid and didn’t flush the system, only drain the system. But, that wouldn’t explain the noise. I have another water pump, so I’m going to assume that’s the problem. That’s how that works, right?

What do you think is the problem?

DISCUSSION (16)

Spaceball-Two > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
08/15/2015 at 21:57

Thermostat?

jkm7680 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
08/15/2015 at 21:58

Dunno, but I found this awesome road in Maryland that’s overpopulated with stupid bicycle riders.

Berang > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
08/15/2015 at 21:58

What car? What car? What car?

Could be a lot of things, but without knowing what car you’re talking about I could mention a lot of things that don’t apply.

Big Bubba Ray > Berang
08/15/2015 at 22:12

BMW 2002.

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
08/15/2015 at 22:14

Check your thermostat. Could be a problem with that and it’s always best to start small. I don’t know what the weather is like where you live, but if it’s been really hot recently, try putting a higher temp thermostat in there and watching the temp like a hawk. That could be the issue.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Spaceball-Two
08/15/2015 at 22:15

But the noise?

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
08/15/2015 at 22:18

Had the car for three year now and the temp gauge is always at 30-40% at most. Today, I took it out to check it and in less than a mile keeping it below 3 grand I watched the needle climb to the red. The coolant is 3 months old. It could still be the thermostat, but there’s the noise associate with it. I’m going to take the belt off and see if there’s any resistance on the water pump.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > jkm7680
08/15/2015 at 22:19

Somewhere in Rock Creek Park??????

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Spaceball-Two
08/15/2015 at 22:19

Don’t think that would explain the noise.

Berang > Big Bubba Ray
08/15/2015 at 22:26

ok.

Berang > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
08/15/2015 at 22:31

If you’re speaking of the 2002, and you think it’s the water pump, then check the pump pulley for play and the belt for signs of slipping. If its not that, the next thing I would check is the timing, particularly if you’re still using points in the distributor. After that I would check the plugs to see if the car is running lean. If O.K. there then check the thermostat.

The noise may be unrelated to the cooling issue, but if it is the pump you’ll find out at the same time if you replace it.

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
08/15/2015 at 22:38

Hmm that’s weird. How fast were you driving? My Z needs a new radiator and tends to run hot on side streets but is fine on the highway because of the airflow.

I think throwing a new thermostat in there would be a good start. It’s cheap and a good way to check everything. If that doesn’t do the trick, try flushing your coolant and making sure the radiator is all good. If the radiator is causing problems, get it recored or snag a new one.

If all that doesn’t solve the problem, check your radiator fan. It may not be spinning fast enough to grab the hot air from the radiator. I did it on my Z and it worked really well. http://oppositelock.kinja.com/how-to-rebuild…

Good luck to you!

Urambo Tauro > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
08/15/2015 at 22:39

I can’t say for sure whether the noise is related to the temperature problem. But considering it’s had a recent refill, you may want to make sure all the air was bled out of the system. If you have any sort of coolant leak, whether internal or external, this can draw a pocket of air into the system.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
08/15/2015 at 23:56

If not the water pump, then something related to the water pump like a pulley, tensioner or the belt.

bhardoin > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
08/16/2015 at 00:37

Fan Clutch?

brianbrannon > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
08/16/2015 at 09:18

Thermostat can’t cause overheating that fast. It does have coolant and it was properly bled of air pockets? Run it with the radiator cap off and a funnel firmly stuck in the cap hole and check for air bubbles.