cactussam85
Veteran Member
The other day (for the first time) when I was starting up I noticed a momentary squeal coming from the engine bay, but it went away quickly and I thought little of it. Over the next couple of days, the squeal seemed to linger slightly longer and then started to sound more like a grinding sound, which, again, went away after just a short bit.
Now, maybe a week later or so, the grind seems to be the only thing that is there and is lasting longer each startup. It does go away after a bit, but now it seems to be getting more intermittent and I think it may be beginning to happen on more occasions than just when starting up.
I've heard water pumps in other cars squeal before, but I don't think I've ever heard one make a grinding sound like this, which makes me question whether or not it IS the water pump or if its something else.
What indications might one look for to determine if it is indeed the water pump that is failing?
I know that I'm not far off from needing to replace the timing belt so I was already planning on a water pump replacement at the same time, but I also don't want to risk damaging something else in the meantime by continuing to drive on it constantly.
Any ideas on where I should start?
Now, maybe a week later or so, the grind seems to be the only thing that is there and is lasting longer each startup. It does go away after a bit, but now it seems to be getting more intermittent and I think it may be beginning to happen on more occasions than just when starting up.
I've heard water pumps in other cars squeal before, but I don't think I've ever heard one make a grinding sound like this, which makes me question whether or not it IS the water pump or if its something else.
What indications might one look for to determine if it is indeed the water pump that is failing?
I know that I'm not far off from needing to replace the timing belt so I was already planning on a water pump replacement at the same time, but I also don't want to risk damaging something else in the meantime by continuing to drive on it constantly.
Any ideas on where I should start?