100% water pump?

[clifford_H3T]

2009 H3T Adventure w/ 110k miles.

Hey guys, was driving last night and noticed squealing coming from the front and figured it was a worn belt. Heard a pop and pulled over and noticed coolant pouring from the bottom. I immediately cut the engine and watched the reservoir empty within a minute. All hoses look good so must be the pump? What's the worst case scenario? I'm taking it Monday to my mechanic to check out but just wanted to get some good ol' forum diagnosis. Hopefully my pucture is a tell-tell sign of where its leaking from.Thanks for the help as always guys.

 

[Happy Hummer]

This is actually a really easy job. If you have a set of wrenches, socket set and a Vato Zone or equivalate to get the specialty tools if needed.
The pump is about 50-75 max... depending on your personal poison lol. The fluid about 50 -75 total again your choice. About 3 hrs. max start to finish. Really pretty simple, straight forward. Last go for me this summer to do this took an afternoon and about 80-90$.

 

[Jeepwalker]

That looks about where the wp would leak from. Take a look "up" there with a flashlight. There's a hole on the water pump neck, where the water comes out should a seal fail. And the seal probably failed bc your bearing crapped out and took the seal with it eventually. That's normal ...pretty much how water pumps go to heaven eventually. Get a GM / Delco replacement if you can.

Caution: Make sure your mechanic puts the RIGHT DexCool coolant in. And mixes it with distilled water ...not tap water. You better mention it, or you don't know what you'll get. He's probably going to say, "We use another product that's compatable". Shell is the only maker of DexCool according to my GM buddy ....don't go with any universal substitutes bc mixing *could* have adverse affects depending what he mixes with. You can get it at Walmart HERE. Our local family run GM dealer will sell it real cheap out of their bulk barrel, (bring yer clean milk jug!) ..if you have a small town GM dealer near you. I would personally take a jug of DexCool and distilled water to the mechanic. Otherwise you'll end up with who knows what (??), he pulls off the shelf at his shop?? ...and probably regular water out of the tap, which will mineralize in your cooling system eventually and cause downstream radiator problems. Mechanics are typically corner-cutters and take the easy way (usually) out. They're going to want to get supplies from their regular part's house ...whatever you get is what you get. Maybe your guy doesn't cut corners, (he's a keeper if he doesn't) ...but I'd specify DexCool, and want to be there when he's pouring the stuff in the radiator. And a real GM water pump, unless you don't mind doing it again in a couple yrs. If he buys a GM water pump HERE from the dealer it's probably going to cost a bunch more.

You might as well get two jugs (and two distilled waters) and have him completely drain the old coolant out and put all new in. That's a job if you haven't done, which would be good to do. Might be time to look at the accessory belt too and change it if it needs it.

Mechanics don't usually like it when ya take in yer own stuff. Just tell him you were going to do it and ran out of time and shrug your shoulders.

Good luck!

 

[Jeepwalker]

Say, ....while you have your H3 in to your mechanic, two other often-overlooked maintenance items you might have him do:

1) Exchange the brake fluid. This should firm up the pedal and prevent internal rusting ..cause brake fluid holds moisture (to a point). If he has a brake fluid exchange machine, it's an easy job. If you've had it done recently, great. If not, it's probably overdue.

2) Exchange the power steering fluid. Here again, few owners do this and metal accumulates in the power steering fluid. It should be exchanged (completely) around 100k-miles or so. It would be a good idea to get some *right* GM power steering fluid, and have him exchange it. Two quarts should be enough to exchange it. Otherwise you don't know what 'mystery fluid' he'll put in it. What I used in mine was AC Delco 10-5073 HERE.

Also:
3) Exchange transmission fluid ...if it needs it. And new filter. Again, I advocate using the "right" AC Delco fluids/filters.

I only use the right GM fluids ...but.. that's me. Otherwise I lose track of what I put into what vehicle.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Obviously if the bearing is shot, don't drive it to your mechanic's place. You could throw a fan through the radiator (or hood!) ..and/or cook the engine. Tow it..

If the bearing is still good, a guy *might* be able to put a gal of distilled water in the radiator, leave the radiator cap on loose (so it doesn't build up pressure) and drive it there. But that assumes you know what to check and verify. Probably best to just tow it to the mechanic, or have them come and get it. If you cook the engine, your H3's done. A rebuilt engine is prohibitively expensive.

 

[Jeepwalker]

I was assuming your H3's engine is an I-5, 3.7L.

If it's a V8, then the water pump I linked to would be different.

 

[rascole]

Pop and squeal is not a typical sign of water pump failure. Make sure all the hoses are good. Top the reservoir off and fill the radiator leave the cap on and idle the engine. Look for leaks at all the hose and cap bleed hose, the radiator cap may be bad and will blow coolant out. As for Dex Cool, many manufactures make it under GM license.

 

[Jeepwalker]