# Water Pump Failure **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** subaru, baja, water-pumps\ **Created:** [July 9, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946 "2021-07-09T20:42:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ilikediscord123\_175793](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/59ef9b/32.png) [@ilikediscord123\_175793](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ilikediscord123_175793)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/1 "2021-07-09T20:42:31Z")
2003 Subaru Baja Automatic 157,846 miles Car temp gauge was fluctuating slowly between max and normal operating temperature. Thermostat works properly, fans work properly. I’m pretty sure my water pump is leaking from the weep hole, and plan to replace it ASAP. Could a failing water pump make the temperature bounce back and forth like that? ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/2 "2021-07-09T20:50:34Z")
Sounds doubtful to me, can you relate the driving conditions related to temp rise? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/3 "2021-07-09T20:54:36Z")
Check the serpentine belt for wear. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/0/0/001d022b43950f09c81e627a47d1ea7ea78b9870.jpeg "Gates Belts & Checker") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iACIT-_pzCU) Tester ---
**Author:** ![ilikediscord123\_175793](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/59ef9b/32.png) [@ilikediscord123\_175793](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ilikediscord123_175793)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 8:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/4 "2021-07-09T20:55:55Z")
Was probably driving 50-60mph when it initially occurred, but seemed to happened regardless of speed afterwards. Wasn’t an abnormally hot day. Car seemed to be driving normally except for a squeaky new serpentine belt (alternator and power steering) that I tightened today. Disregarded this because it doesn’t drive the water pump or fans. I tried turning on max heat when it was overheating, it didn’t seem to help much. Any specifics that could help? ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/5 "2021-07-09T21:01:02Z")
If the water pump is leaking and the coolant level is low the engine will overheat. ---
**Author:** ![ilikediscord123\_175793](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/59ef9b/32.png) [@ilikediscord123\_175793](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ilikediscord123_175793)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/6 "2021-07-10T03:12:51Z")
Serpentine belt is new and does not run the water pump. Don’t know the condition of the timing belt though. I plan to replace it with the water pump, but no other problems with the car to suggest timing belt issues. ---
**Author:** ![ilikediscord123\_175793](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/59ef9b/32.png) [@ilikediscord123\_175793](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ilikediscord123_175793)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/7 "2021-07-10T03:16:28Z")
It’s only leaking a little bit. I’m watching the coolant levels and they are fine. ---
**Author:** ![ilikediscord123\_175793](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/59ef9b/32.png) [@ilikediscord123\_175793](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ilikediscord123_175793)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/8 "2021-07-10T03:22:04Z")
After flushing and burping the system it has not overheated again. I don’t think the water pump would make the temperature rise and fall repeatedly like that. Could air have been getting in through the weep hole over time, creating air pockets? Not sure if that’s practical, but would explain why it works after flushing. Worst case I replace the water pump and take it to a mechanic afterwards if it overheats again. Thanks for all the replies btw. Much appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/9 "2021-07-10T03:24:30Z")
You have to check the coolant level cold in the radiator, not the remote tank. Because it is a high mileage Subaru, the first suspects when overheating are always the head gaskets. ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/10 "2021-07-10T03:32:59Z")
if its leaking through the weep hole you need to change the pump. it wont get better. it will only get worse. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/11 "2021-07-10T03:36:41Z")
Speaking from experience my first thought was a head gasket when the temp fluctuates. For me it would cool down again at speed when the pump was pushing the coolant faster. The other thing is a radiator filled with bugs in the front can lose it’s ability to cool efficiently or the radiator could be coated inside. ---
**Author:** ![ilikediscord123\_175793](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/59ef9b/32.png) [@ilikediscord123\_175793](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ilikediscord123_175793)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/12 "2021-07-10T03:36:47Z")
Yes, I said I will replace it ASAP. Waiting for new water pump. ---
**Author:** ![ilikediscord123\_175793](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/59ef9b/32.png) [@ilikediscord123\_175793](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ilikediscord123_175793)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/13 "2021-07-10T03:40:00Z")
How would I go about checking the head gasket? I believe oil would be mixing with coolant, so I’ll check for that. Are there any other things to look for? ---
**Author:** ![ilikediscord123\_175793](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/59ef9b/32.png) [@ilikediscord123\_175793](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ilikediscord123_175793)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/14 "2021-07-10T03:40:58Z")
I will definitely check that. Any tips for checking the head gasket? ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/15 "2021-07-10T03:42:03Z")
Check for bubbles in the radiator or combustion in the coolant with a tester or test paper I guess. Never had to do that myself. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/16 "2021-07-10T03:42:51Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/2/2/22034b783c8e64e7e109221a89f1d01ba9540fc2.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/17 "2021-07-10T03:42:55Z")
oil in coolant. coolant in oil. looks milky white smoke out the exhaust a lot of bubbling in the radiator or overflow any of the above ---
**Author:** ![ilikediscord123\_175793](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/59ef9b/32.png) [@ilikediscord123\_175793](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ilikediscord123_175793)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/18 "2021-07-10T03:51:24Z")
Last time this vehicle had problems it was a cracked radiator. You aren’t helping identify the issue. ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 3:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/19 "2021-07-10T03:55:48Z")
maybe not but it was funny. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 9:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946/20 "2021-07-10T09:49:00Z")
> [@ilikediscord123\_175793](#): > > It’s only leaking a little bit. Then it is leaking too much. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/water-pump-failure/177946.md?page=2)