Water pump seized

**wnmech** · 04-04-2010, 04:15 PM

Anyone ever had their water pump just lock up on them? My daughter was traveling yesterday in the 01 Formula when the check gages light came on. She noticed the water temp rising and loss of power steering. Luckily she pulled over before the engine got too hot. Anyway not realizing what had happened I drove down to where she was broken down and installed the spare belt. Started up the engine and found the pump had locked up. I have had pumps leak in the past but never seize up. This was a first for me.

**cammed goat** · 04-04-2010, 04:20 PM

I have heard of this happening. Some will leak/chatter. Others will just lock up and throw the belt.

**Cutlass** · 04-04-2010, 05:29 PM

yeah it can happen, but the only time I ever saw one was in the middle of winter, 0 degrees out, and the owner had filled the cooling system with mostly water. The water froze and so did the water pump

**Smittro** · 04-04-2010, 06:09 PM

I've heard of them siezing but never have seen one do it.. First thing I'd do is find out exactly what may have caused this (not common) to happen before throwing the new one on..Just my .02 good luck..

**cammed goat** · 04-05-2010, 06:55 AM

Guys...chill out on the insults. OK?

**shady milkman** · 04-05-2010, 07:17 AM

oh lord.

imho just get a new water pump and be done with it.

**Smittro** · 04-05-2010, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by shady milkman

oh lord.

imho just get a new water pump and be done with it.

Hmmm even if the engine is full of debris from the failed pump?

**shady milkman** · 04-05-2010, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Smittro

If the engine is full of sludge, or a piece of the old pump has broken loose it could easliy effect the new pump. Nothing wrong with my answer I like to do things right. Pretty basic stuff.

true..but a uncommon problem's cause is not always uncommon

**shady milkman** · 04-05-2010, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Smittro

Hmmm even if the engine is full of debris from the failed pump?

so are you saying to tear down the engine for a what if ?

**Marc 85Z28** · 04-05-2010, 07:53 AM

Seized water pumps happen. It's not that uncommon. Put a new pump and belt on. Ignore Smittro - failure analysis isn't necessary.

**Smittro** · 04-05-2010, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by shady milkman

so are you saying to tear down the engine for a what if ?

Umm, no. I never said that, a visual can usually determine most simple mechanical problems..

**Smittro** · 04-05-2010, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Marc 85Z28

Seized water pumps happen. It's not that uncommon. Put a new pump and belt on. Ignore Smittro - failure analysis isn't necessary.

are you speaking of lsx engines? Or all..?

**cammed goat** · 04-05-2010, 08:11 AM

This should be interesting...

**Smittro** · 04-05-2010, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

This should be interesting...

As watching grass grow.. I think some folks need to learn to read first then question.

Learning what the phrases "I would" and "just my .02" mean would be half the battle..

**Marc 85Z28** · 04-05-2010, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Smittro

are you speaking of lsx engines? Or all..?

I've replaced seized water pumps on the SBC, SBF and 3.8 Ford, GM 3100/3400 ... and yes, even LS1/LQ4/LM7. I've seen them on other makes, I just wasn't doing the repair. Again, it's NOT uncommon.

**Smittro** · 04-05-2010, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Marc 85Z28

I've replaced seized water pumps on the SBC, SBF and 3.8 Ford, GM 3100/3400 ... and yes, even LS1/LQ4/LM7. I've seen them on other makes, I just wasn't doing the repair. Again, it's NOT uncommon.

gotcha.. In 20 years working on cars/trucks/tractor-trailers I've never seen ONE. But I have heard of it..

**wnmech** · 04-05-2010, 04:02 PM

This was my first. I did take the old pump to work and tore the plate off of the back and could not see any reason inside to fail. Put the pully in the vise and twisted the pump and got it to move and parts of the bearing started to fall out from behind the pully. Nothing went inside the cooling system. I replaced the pump and thermostat and belt and she is back on the road engine sounds great no damage done