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Posted: 5/10/2002 5:40:58 PM EDT
[#1]
That's definitely not a gamble I would take.
You'll feel like a fool walking to the nearest town when you've been warned. |
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Posted: 5/10/2002 5:46:25 PM EDT
[#2]
shit
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Posted: 5/10/2002 5:46:27 PM EDT
[#3]
Did they say [b]from the pump[/b] or around the pump? It might be something as simple as a lose hose clamp on a rad hose.
If it is coming from the pump then there is a very good chance the seal around the shaft is leaking. If this is the case I wouldn't attempt the trip. Water pumps are cheap..engines aren't. |
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Posted: 5/10/2002 5:47:41 PM EDT
[#4]
If it's ONLY a leak, then remember to bring water and/or coolant and stop occaissionally to check it and fill it up to make sure you're not running the car dry.
My worry would be whether this would be an indicator that the water pump is going to shit the bed. That's bad news. Car stops and engine might turn into a large clump of melted metal. Sorry but I'm not sure how much of a pickle you are in on this (of course I'd go, but...). Edited to add-Oh Striker beat me to it & he sure knows more about cars than me. A rebuilt water pump is usually cheap, I would think especially for a 6 banger Ford and they are usually easy to swap out on most cars (I've done it and I'm pretty bad with working on cars, now if your motorcycle had a problem...). Can't you get into a garage first thing Saturday and get someone to look at it (assuming appropriate funds) or get a buddy who knows what he is doing to look at it and help you swap out the pump if necessary. -I didn't notice the 600 miles part-that's probably too far even with just a leak, better fix it. That sucks, cars are a pain-nothing like having a problem when you want to get away for the weekend (or whatever). |
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Posted: 5/10/2002 5:53:27 PM EDT
[#5]
If it IS the awater pump and it decides "to go" your trip will come to a dramatic halt. This is a pretty cheap repair that I would have done FIRST. If it is just hoses, even cheaper.
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Posted: 5/10/2002 5:56:53 PM EDT
[#6]
Get it fixed!
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Posted: 5/10/2002 6:00:49 PM EDT
[#7]
I recently had to decide if I was going to replace my $hitty tires on the wifes car or go to the casinos in Shreport...
Talk about a gamble .. after the 348 mile round trip ( minutes after getting home) I go to do something that reguired driving... 2 (two!!) of the crapy balding tires blow out... get it fixed.... (before you go) edited to add.************ dumb, I know .... but now I have 4 brand new shiney tires...[:)] |
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Posted: 5/10/2002 6:09:54 PM EDT
[#8]
1990 = (probably) the >100,000 miles ballpark, about the right time to expect a water pump change. Not to mention timing chain/belt...
Cheap? Yeah, pumps are cheap but, the labor to have them replaced could be multiples of the cost of the part. As posted though, if it goes, you are really in a bad spot... |
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Posted: 5/10/2002 6:23:55 PM EDT
[#9]
I don't know a whole lot about Fords, but in my experience with GM vehicles, the water pumps tend to start weeping a little bit of coolant when they are wearing out, gradually developing into a steadier and more serious leak until finally the coolant system will barely hold pressure. This cycle usually takes quite a bot of time, giving you lots of warning before the pump fails entirely.
If you aren't seeing puddles of coolant under your vehicle and don't have the time to get it fixed, your pump is probably at the earliest stages of failing. I [i]myself[/i] would probably go ahead and take a 600 mile trip. I'd also take a jug or two of coolant along, maybe even a new water and the tools to install it, and just monitor the situation. I'd be pretty confident about making the round trip without incident. If you aren't mechanically inclined and don't really know how to keep an eye on it, best to get if fixed beforehand, however. |
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Posted: 5/10/2002 6:26:06 PM EDT
[#10]
If your water pump comes apart while you're driving down the road, you stand the chance of ruining your radiator, fan shroud, hoses, abd belt.
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Posted: 5/10/2002 6:46:25 PM EDT
[#11]
Get it fixed before you leave on your trip. If you have a break down on the road you could put yourself and your family at risk physically, Why chance it for a few bucks. And the repair shop will probably stick it to you financially.
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Posted: 5/10/2002 6:49:49 PM EDT
[#12]
No way should you make a long trip on a coolant leak, especially if it is coming from the pump. A short trip under 50 miles should be OK but 600 miles is a very bad idea. You are only looking at around 1.5 hours labor time at your local shop for a water pump job on your T-bird, plus the cost of the pump which is around $55 for a new Airtex pump or $95 for a new Motorcraft pump. The whole job should be around $150-$180. Reman pumps are closer to $40 with core exchange, but I have been using Airtex at my shop for many years with no comebacks so I recommend them. These prices are for the non supercharged 3.8L motor. Good luck on your trip.
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Posted: 5/10/2002 7:16:45 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted: . . plus the cost of the pump which is around $55 for a new Airtex pump or $95 for a new Motorcraft pump. . . but I have been using Airtex at my shop for many years with no comebacks so I recommend them. I hope Airtex has fixed the problem with their water pumps. About 10 years ago, when I had my Dodge Aspen w/318CID V8, it keep on eating water pump shaft bearings every 10-15,000 miles. I ended up putting in 3 of those suckers before I sold the car. |
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Posted: 5/10/2002 7:27:37 PM EDT
[#14]
I would get it fixed if it was me. If you can turn a wrench then changing the water pump should not be that hard for you if you wanted to do it yourself. The hard part is the belt(s) depending on the vehicle.
medcop |
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Posted: 5/10/2002 8:30:48 PM EDT
[#15]
Some pumps eventually wear out around the shaft and start dribbling. My car's did, and it ran fine after that for several months.
Regarding fixability, replacing the water pump on mine basically meant removing the engine. The pump was bolted in along an entire side of the block. Something to do with saving weight on the block, resulting in there being no metal available to cut a coolant path into it. The pump's body provided that "pipe" from the bottom of the block to the top. |
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Posted: 5/10/2002 9:47:31 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted: If your water pump comes apart while you're driving down the road, you stand the chance of ruining your radiator, fan shroud, hoses, abd belt. Depends on where the pump is and how it is driven. On some engines, the water pump is driven off of the camshaft. On the 2.4l DOHC in my Pontiac Sunfire, the water pump is driving by the timing chain. It's kind of a bitch to replace, but it would take a bit of abuse to grenade it. I probably drove it for a thouand miles befire with a leaky pump before replacing it. |
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Posted: 5/10/2002 9:49:40 PM EDT
[#17]
Quoted: I hope Airtex has fixed the problem with their water pumps. About 10 years ago, when I had my Dodge Aspen w/318CID V8, it keep on eating water pump shaft bearings every 10-15,000 miles. I ended up putting in 3 of those suckers before I sold the car. Airtex has, and probably still does, used plastic impellers in some of their pumps. These are notorious for failing when the plastic impeller starts spinning on the pump shaft. |
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Posted: 5/10/2002 10:02:18 PM EDT
[#18]
Since you asked for advice, I'll dispense some.
Take it from a guy that has sat on the side of a major interstate with all the coolant in the engine spewing onto the road below... [size=3]...get a better opinion than a freakin' walmart grease monkey![/size=3] As some of the members have posted, you need to: 1: locate the EXACT source of the leak. 2: determine the best course of action. If the leak is coming from the: Water pump weep hole - Get it relaced Hose - Get hose replaced Front seal around the pully - Definately get it replaced Gasket where the WP attaches to to the block - get it fixed regardless, get a person that's a good wrench(unless you can do it yourself) to look at it. |
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Posted: 5/10/2002 10:44:36 PM EDT
[#19]
Rent a car for the weekend and deal with it Monday.
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