does this sound like a bad water pump??

[Charger72SE]

ok, I drove my 72 SE to see a buddy an hour away today, and on the way home the Temp gauge goes to max hot.  I pulled into a gas station and the overflow hose starts pouring out antifreeze after I turn the car off.  I waited a while and filled a half gallon of anti-freeze and a half gallon of water into the radiatior up to the neck.

Driving again the Temp gauge was half way for about 15 miles and then I hear a sqeeling like a bearing is going out.  Then I feel a wobble and then I hear some god-awfull noises so I pulled to the side of the road and turned off the car.  Called a tow truck because I didn't want to drive her any more.  There wasn't any overlow from the radiator after refilling it.

so does this sound like a bad water pump or something more serious?  If a water pump goes bad, can it screw anything else up??

I'm going to have a buddy come over for triage, but want to hear your comments so I'm not worrying too much

thanks!!

[Wakko]

If you can access it safely, start the motor and put a mechanic's stethoscope to the water pump housing OR use a loooong screwdriver pressed against your ear.  You'll hear the bearings grind if it's bad.  I've never heard a water pump squeal though, maybe the bearing is locking up and the belt is squealing?  How's the alternator?

[Charger72SE]

Wakko,

I'll fire it up tomorrow and check the belts.  Are you thinking maybe the alternator siezed?

[Wakko]

Not siezed (it would have burned the belt off with lots of smoke) but perhaps slowing down.  Not likely, as it wouldn't have caused the initial overheat without audible squealing, but just thought I'd throw it out there.  No seeping from the pump itself?

[Charger72SE]

no antifreeze leaked at all after I refilled it -

can running the engine with a bad water pump for a short time hurt anything else?

[Wakko]

With the overheating, certainly.  If the bearing is worn to the point where the shaft bounces around, the impeller won't be as efficient and can cause cavitation (which I've been told is a problem with these big block waterpumps anyway).  Cavitation will inhibit water movement, so your cylinder head temps will skyrocket.   Other than that, or it completely just coming apart, I don't think there's any other possibility of damage.  I sure as heck wouldn't drive it though.

[Ghoste]

Stupid question, but, you did check belt tension right?

[Charger_Fan]

Driving again the Temp gauge was half way for about 15 miles and then I hear a sqeeling like a bearing is going out.  Then I feel a wobble and then I hear some god-awfull noises so I pulled to the side of the road and turned off the car.

"Feeling a wobble" could in no way be associated with a water pump problem. Maybe just a "vibration up front somewhere"?
The squeal sound, maybe...but probably more like a loose belt than anything else.

I've heard cars make a groan/shudder noise (usually from the radiator area) when they overheated severely, but never a squeal. Could the Power Steering belt be loose also?

From your symptoms, it sounds like multiple problems...

[Charger_Fan]

Just to make sure it's not a bad water pump bearing (funky noise), grab the two opposing fan blades & try to rock back & forth front to back...if there's more than maybe 1/8th inch movement, that could be your problem.


If there's ANY movement felt, replace that thing soon!

[Ghoste]

Oh, and if your alternator had seized, you'd have a serious discharge showing on the guages.

[Charger72SE]

the belts all seem ok - maybe 1/2 inch give when I push in the middle on them.  there wasn't any wear showing on the belts either - the edges were fine.

all the gauges were good (Oil and Alt) except for the Temp where I turned off the car. 

There is about a 1/4 inch of play in the fan blades from side to side.

Yea, I guess it was a "vibration" more than a "wobble" - in 3 years I've never had any problems with the engine, so anything sounded and felt BAAAAD

I didn't want to start it up until a buddy mechanic comes over.  there also wasn't any fluid on the floor of the garage today.

thanks for all the comments - I'm really hoping for nothing serious

[Ghoste]

The fan blade play doesn't sound good does it?

[Charger72SE]

there is a bit of "clunking" sound when I wiggle the blades

[Ghoste]

Sounds like you have something not right there.  What did you find out?

[Charger_Fan]

there is a bit of "clunking" sound when I wiggle the blades

Sounds like bad water pump shaft bearings. If you have a fan clutch that could wiggle too, so try to decide which it is.
Either way, replace the offending item very soon! It really makes for a bad day when your pump shaft breaks, sending the fan into the radiator.

If you see any evidence of coolant coming from the weep hole on the bottom side of the water pump, that could have been causing the overheating by leaking out enough to make your coolant level low & overheat.
Sometimes it's hard to see the hole, because it's hidden behind the pulley.

[myk]

Why does a water pump leak from the weep hole anyway?  In any case, I just pulled into my driveway and was about to call it a day when I noticed a puddle of coolant gathering under the car.  After several curse words and parts removed I noticed a very fine stream of coolant jetting out of the weep hole.  I guess I was lucky...
What's everyone's favorite water pump around here?  I figure I'll buy something better than OEM while I'm at it....

[myk]

Ah to hell with it, I went with the Edelbrock Victor pump.  It's been said that a high volume thermo' is required?  If so, then good, as I bought a Mopar Performance 180 thermo'.  I wonder what's gonna' blow next...

[Ghoste]

Transmission?
Sorry, just guessing and trying to scare you at the same time.  Have faith in your Charger.

[myk]

LOL...Nah, nah, nah....The transmission went 8 months ago, so I'm good on that for now...
I do have a question, though.  When I replace the water pump housing, water pump and thermo' what type of sealant do I use for the parts?  The service manual doesn't mention applying any kind of sealant, although I figure that parts interacting with water/coolant some sort of sealant is necessary; those paper gaskets can't be enough...

[Ghoste]

I would just spray them with some of that tacky gasket adhesive myself.  Maybe a little blue rtv as long as it's used sparingly.

[Chryco Psycho]

Milodon is supposed to make on eof the best aftermarket water pumps