Time for a water pump

[Adamcr68]

I have had a intermediate “rattle” that I couldn’t pinpoint in the front of my truck, 2015 with 106k, 5.7 with all original equipment except for the long tubes and tune-engine wise.

I looked a few times, found a push pin missing in the molding under the radiator, replaced it but no chance it would be something that cheap to fix.

I guess I knew it was the water pump, just didn’t want accept it, no leaks and truck wasn’t running hotter than it usually does, but the noise was right there.

Friday at the bank atm, drive thru style built into the wall, the rattle was very noticeable. My truck must have been like “ this guy can’t take a hint, I guess I need to make obvious”

I parked and opened the hood, could smell antifreeze, pump was seeping and the pulley on the pump was clearly wobbling. I apologized to my truck for being so thick headed and thanked it for giving me a chance to get fixed before ending up stranded somewhere and needing a tow.

I am dropping it off today at a local mechanic known by my wife’s side of the family, I would rather take to my mechanic Quick_Shifter but fear it won’t make the 2 1/2 hour trip.
I would like to think I could fix myself, probably could but my truck is my only vehicle and I am not confident enough to not have it ready for work the next day.

 

[EdGs]

I'd be worried about that 2-1/2 hour trip, too. Ed luck would have been the 'stranded on the side of the road' option.

Assuming they're changing the coolant as well, making sure they're using proper stuff would be my only concern.

Here's to a smooth repair.

 

[Ken226]

I ruined a perfectly good engine once due to letting my water pump fail.

Now, every oil change I check it.

Put a breaker bar on the belt tensioner. With the right hand I push the breaker bar and slacken the belt, then hold it there. With the left hand I grab a fan blade and wiggle front to back. Then release the breaker bar. Don't even have to touch the belt.

Takes about 5 seconds. It's my post top-off ritual, right after putting the oil fill cap back on.

1-1/2 years ago I did it, and the fan was wobbly at the pulley bearing. I caught the failing water pump before it had even started leaking or making noise yet.

 

[Adamcr68]

I'd be worried about that 2-1/2 hour trip, too. Ed luck would have been the 'stranded on the side of the road' option.

Assuming they're changing the coolant as well, making sure they're using proper stuff would be my only concern.

Here's to a smooth repair.

Back on the road, the shop was ok, no leaks and good heat in the cab but only drove 20 miles so far.
They did get the job done quickly, work nights so having my wife pick me up “less than ideal” to be nice about it.

The mechanic did make it clear to me why I make the trip to PA to go to Quick_Shifter’s shop whenever possible. He left spilled coolant on my catch can, the shroud, hoses, pretty much everything near the cap I guess, like he didn’t have a funnel.
I wiped up what I could quickly when I picked it up and will do a engine wash this weekend, it’s overdue anyway.

I’m probably just spoiled because when I leave @Quick_Shifter’s shop any area or part he has worked on is cleaner than when he started.

I did keep the old thermostat in case, which they put in the cup holder in the open bag from the new one, so the cab had a strong anti freeze smell, I picked it up after hours so they didn’t have a lot of choice’s but a ziplock bag or wrapping it up in plastic would have helped.
I hate the smell of antifreeze, my wife says I’m being overly critical, maybe she’s right but don’t see myself changing.