Water pump Whistle

Today i noticed a whistle coming from the upper part of my engine today just after start up on my 84 Euro. Out of concern I ran to the toolbox and decided to play doctor with my stethoscope. I pointed and listened to all the bearing housings that I could reach with the engine running and noticed a much larger high pitched sound coming from the water pump housing. My questions are these, will that bearing make a high pitch sound when it is going out. I have never had an overheating problem. If that is it, would you recommend rebuilding or replacing? If rebuilding, who in Houston Texas would anyone recommend. Thanks so much and Happy Holidays to all...

 

The WP bearing usually starts to go after the seal starts leaking. If the seal starts to leak you would see traces of antifreeze coming out of the bleed hole under the front of the pump. Try checking that first and go from there. Also how many miles are on the pump and is the belt in good condition and at the correct tension.

 

Not many places to take an old F-car to in Houston.

I'd call Mark at Sphere Motorsports. Probably your best bet:

Contact Us - Sphere Motor Sports

They are just off Hempstead Highway on 11th.

 

Since you've already got the latest/best iteration design of the 308 water pump (and it took a few tries ), go with whichever is better on price IMO. Unless something rather unusual has happened to the castings and/or shaft, there is no real difference between them, so no reason "new" would have a premium value to justify a higher price - JMO...

 

Right now there is no seeping from the hole under the pulley. I did just tighten the belt after pulling the alternator but it doesn't feel over tightened. There is still a quarter to half an inch of movement. Is there a way to check the water pump. When I had the belt off earlier I did not feel any play in the pulley. All felt and turned freely.

 

Well I adjusted the belt and tried it again. It is sporadic (on and off) Using the stethoscope I can tell it sounds like the bearing in the water pump. Got one on order. Thanks so much for the comments and advice. I rely heavily on the forum and I certianly appreciate those who know and comment.

thank you.

 

Is this only when the engine is cold?

 

Yes when it is cold. Im not too sure about when it gets hot as I don't really want to drive it? Even if it does fine and does not whistle when hot, something is still wrong. What are your thoughts?

 

My car had a modest metallic squeal noise upon cold start up for about 15 seconds, no noise after that. It was a bad bearing in the water pump.

 

I have a whistle on cold startup only that goes away quickly. There is a thread on hear called High Pitched Sound that talks about it. Hope it helps shed some light on it for you.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/425955-high-pitched-sound.html?highlight=Whistle

 

I read through the posts and feel the water pump is involved. Listening to the stethoscope on the pump when running and hearing the whistle go on and off pushes me to believe the pump has to go. I can do the work so cost will be less than 200 bucks with the pump from superformance. I'll keep the post going when I get the pump and get it installed. Thanks again for all the help.

 

Hi Scott,

When I was doing the cooling system restoration on my 84 U.S. spec QV I swapped out the original water pump for the Superformance part. I have 20,000 plus miles on that with no issues. I actually still have the original pump as I intend to rebuild it when the time comes. If you want to see the thing out of the car I'll bring it along next time we get together.

Paul

 

OK good luck and maybe others will chime in but the bearing usually goes bad when the seal leaks and and washes out the grease. So unless you have a lot of miles or the belt tension is to tight you might have another issue. I guess I would have pulled the belt and then start the car and see what happens. Did you mention that the pump turn freely . Let us know what you find.