On my 1997 F250 I have a grinding noise that sounds like it is coming from the fan. Is that possible? I bought what looks like a doctors stethoscope except it has a rod at the end. I put it near the belt pulleys thinking one of them might be bad but they sounded good. So I'm thinking the fan is making the noise. It sounds like it is right in the front. Comments please!!

 

Water pump bearing. Recommend replacement ASAP

 

That or Fan clutch. Yeah get on it fast if either go out that Radiator looks real expesive. See if there is any wobble to it while not running and if fan clutch has a little bind. Then try taking the belt off and turn by handee if you can feel the wabble in either one.

 

Thank you for the replys. I just went out and looked at it again and found that if I grab hold of one of the fan blades and apply pressure front and back the whole fan assembly including the pulley the belt is on moves back and forth about an 1/8 inch. Is that a bad water pump bearing? What do I need to do to replace it? Replace the whole water pump? Where do you recommend I get the part? Sorry for all the questions. Thank you!!!!

 

Your water pump has failed. Yes you need to replace the whole thing.

 

Thank you, Kwik. That's what I thought but I wasn't sure.

Can anyone recommend a place to buy a new water pump?

 

Get A New Water Pump At Oreillys Or Auto Zone.
They Cost About $250.00 With A Life Time Warranty.
Do Not Buy From The Dealership.will Cost Way Too Much.
If You Are Not Sure About What You Need To Do To Replace It,do A Search On This Forum. Some Excellant Directions Available.

 

Wow they cost that much??? I figured around 150. Guess I've been out of the loop for too long. Also see why it's important to put a coolant filter in.

 

YES THEY DO COST THAT MUCH. JUST CHANGED MINE LAST MONTH.
ALSO WHILE YOU ARE AT IT, GO AHEAD AND GET A NEW T STAT AND T STAT HOUSING. HOUSING IS ABOUT $14.00. MOST OF THE TIME THE OLD T STAT HOUSING WILL LEAK JUST A LITTLE BIT IF YOU REUSUE IT. GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

Auto parts warehouse is $195 Water Pump G3000-140392 don't know about what thier warranty is. Napa is 259 for new 154 for rebuilt

 

Just checked Kragen 251 or 298 w/ thermostat. Are these things gold plated?

 

Ok I was cheap and bought a new one off ebay. $105 Manufactured by US Motor Works. Looks real good. Guess I'll find out how it holds up.

 

Great thread- did the search and found exactly what I needed!

Let me be sure....
IfI can wiggle the fan pulley just by grabbing onto one of the blades the waterpump is shot right?- Can it be the fan clutch?

And due to the current financial situation, I will probably go the eBay route as well, so jpm2591 let me know how that went for you!

I try to use Napa parts but sometimes $ gets tight. I'm sure it will bite in the end but i gotta keep the truck on the road!

Thanks!

 

I'd be more concerned with side play on water pumps. But if you turn the pump by hand and feel rough spots or if it's leaking coolant then replace it. With the belt removed, check the other pulleys for rough spots as well. The power steering pump is a bushing style of bearing, so it won't feel like the others. I've seen a couple of posts concerning the idler/tensioner bearings going bad. For the $200, I'd make sure where the problem is as well.

 

Thats what it was, side play. When I grabbed the fan blade and pulled it (side to side) moved the water pump shaft. I'm not much of a mechanic but it wasn't that bad of a job but it did take some time. I removed the radiator, which I don't think I would have needed to do, but it was easy and I think it made the job easier. The pump I bought off ebay is working great.