Water pump noise?
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: F
Water pump noise?
Hello,
My car just hit 200k km. I went out to take a short video but noticed a whining sound, potentially coming from the water pump. In theory, the water pump had been replaced around 36k km ago, but of course the mechanic might've just charged for work not done. It's not really leaking, although the coolant level had dropped slightly between changes (2cm in the reservoir).
Please have a look at the videos and let me know how bad you think this is.
This is the engine bay:
This is going closer to the pump area:
This is walk-around. Notice that this noise is more obvious from behind the car:
Thanks
My car just hit 200k km. I went out to take a short video but noticed a whining sound, potentially coming from the water pump. In theory, the water pump had been replaced around 36k km ago, but of course the mechanic might've just charged for work not done. It's not really leaking, although the coolant level had dropped slightly between changes (2cm in the reservoir).
Please have a look at the videos and let me know how bad you think this is.
This is the engine bay:
This is going closer to the pump area:
This is walk-around. Notice that this noise is more obvious from behind the car:
Thanks
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,213
Likes: 949
From: Fl
Are you sure it’s the water pump?
could it be an alternator?
have you tried a mechanics stethoscope?
could it be an alternator?
have you tried a mechanics stethoscope?
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 242
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From: F
Yes, all supposedly done. I wasn't so sure, and have opened up the upper TB covers on both sides to check the belt --- the belt looked new and felt soft, but I've read people say even old belts look new and feel soft.
And I'm not sure whether it's the WP. Could very well be the alternator. I'll do the screw-driver trick and see.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,213
Likes: 949
From: Fl
Thanks Bgw70,
Yes, all supposedly done. I wasn't so sure, and have opened up the upper TB covers on both sides to check the belt --- the belt looked new and felt soft, but I've read people say even old belts look new and feel soft.
And I'm not sure whether it's the WP. Could very well be the alternator. I'll do the screw-driver trick and see.
Yes, all supposedly done. I wasn't so sure, and have opened up the upper TB covers on both sides to check the belt --- the belt looked new and felt soft, but I've read people say even old belts look new and feel soft.
And I'm not sure whether it's the WP. Could very well be the alternator. I'll do the screw-driver trick and see.
any metal rod like a screwdriver, ratchet extension etc works well. Never tried it but wood may also carry noise.
i have isolated plenty of noises this way.
check everything in there...you will know when you find the loud one.
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: F
Just listened again with a screwdriver:
Without the screwdriver, the noise does seem to originate from the WP area. With it against the metal parts that I could reach, everywhere sounds "normal".
Does it also sound "whiny" when you put a screwdriver against the source of the noise, or will the pitch change?
Without the screwdriver, the noise does seem to originate from the WP area. With it against the metal parts that I could reach, everywhere sounds "normal".
Does it also sound "whiny" when you put a screwdriver against the source of the noise, or will the pitch change?
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 242
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From: F
Actually, just remembered that it has been like this for over two years. Just today when I took that walk around video noticed it.
One other possibility I see is the electric fan on the passenger side. It's on all the time. I didn't test it. Will do it next time.
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Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: F
I think it may be the electric fan:
Tried this morning when I turned on the car to check again, but there was no noise. The fan doesn't turn when the engine is cold. Once warmed up, the faint noise came back.
Will do nothing for now and replace when it worsens.
Tried this morning when I turned on the car to check again, but there was no noise. The fan doesn't turn when the engine is cold. Once warmed up, the faint noise came back.
Will do nothing for now and replace when it worsens.
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Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: F
Made a video & uploaded some photos: https://www.jlteng.com/galleries/object/sc430-200k/
I hope it can run another two years without repair.
I hope it can run another two years without repair.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,213
Likes: 949
From: Fl
Made a video & uploaded some photos: https://www.jlteng.com/galleries/object/sc430-200k/
I hope it can run another two years without repair.
I hope it can run another two years without repair.
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: F
Pole Position
Joined: May 2016
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From: AZ
If you turn on your a/c your fan will go on
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: F
I'm sure it's not the PS, as that one I could hear with a screwdriver easily and it's good. Not the AC as the sound is not from that corner. Alternator would be a possibility, but I guess not.
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