Im hearing a noise coming from either my water pump or my fan clutch, and Im wondering if something is going bad there.
It sounds a bit like unlubed bearings. Not grinding, but not smooth either.

I dont see any coolant seeping out, and havent noticed anything besides sound, but Im pretty sure it is getting louder, and I would prefer to not get stranded.

What do you guys think?

 

I know when they start pumping coolant all over the driveway they are bad. BTW, I'm still on my original water pump and thermostat. 1993 with 105,000 miles (knock on wood).

 

Probably one of the timing belt idlers.. When your water pump goes it will start leaking.

 

I have been struggling with a squeal coming from my 81 22r engine myself. One of my new neighbors walked up as I was done changing the spark plugs and commented he had never heard anything like that in a while. He mentioned to me he had previously been a mechanic and worked on many older Yotas including his own.

We did the "poor man's stethoscope" method and took a long screwdriver to parts of the engine until we pinpointed the squeal and sure enough it was the water pump. He told me that once you stop the engine if you grab the water pump pulley and try to move it from side to side and up and down. If it gives, the bearing is close to going and you should replace the water pump before it fails.

I referred to the Haynes manual in the section about Water Pump replacement and I swear the man was quoting the book. It also added that an improperly tensioned drivebelt can cause the water pump pulley bearings to go sooner than necessary.

 

I narrowed down a similar noise in my '93 by removing the drive belts and starting the engine. If it's the timing belt pulleys or the water pump the noise will still be there. If the noise is gone put one belt on and try again. Then try the other belt. This way you can usually isolate it to fan pulley, alternator etc.

 

Good idea!

 

You also get some squealing if your drive belts are aged and dry. While running spray a miniscule amount of wd40 or even water on each belt in turn and see if it quiets down. Of course on H20 pumps, sometimes they go without warning, sometimes they protest a bit first.

 

Those sound like good ideas.
First I'll yank on the pully a bit, and if that doesnt yield any results I'll start pulling belts.
We'll figure this thing out.

Thanks!

 

Mine squeeled just like yours for about a week. Then the night before it let go, it started leaking just a little bit of water out of the main bearing. When I started it up to take it to the shop the next day, it stil had plenty of water in it. Within miles, the temperature was pegged and there was no heat coming out of the vents (all makes snese now). Unfortunately for me, the water pump is driven off of the back side of the timing belt, and when the pump seized, the belt got cooked. It snapped, and the engine died 100ft from the dealership. No damage done though. you just loose all compression. I also melted an idler pulley with the scredded belt.
Lesson learned.
Wes