I have a 1978 El Camino V8 305. My power steering has been going out on me, and since then my belt has been squeaking usually when it first starts up. This morning when I got to work, smoke was bellowing from under my hood. Im trying to troubleshoot. Is it possible that my power steering pump damaged the belt enough that the water pump went out?
If the same belt goes to the water pump and has been really over tighten. It can cause rear in the water pump bearing and damage the seal and cause it to leak out of the weap hole in the both of the water pump hub. Lack of water to engine to cool it can cause added damage. The hold cooling system need to be checked. Including the radiato cap. Usually when a belt sound off when it is started up. Means the belt is ware out. This vehicle the belt can be remove and take power steering toke out of the picture. It will mean hard steering till a new pump can be put on or a rebuilt pump.
If the power steering pump was dragging, you probably lost the belt, so the water pump was not working and the engine overheated. Water pump is probably OK. Replace the belt and fix or replace the power steering pump.
If the power steering is going out. Its gonna be hard to spin the pulley.So the belt might be burning cause it trying to turn a seized pulley or a very tight pulley.What makes you think the water pump is no good.
The only method of positive identification is to use a mechanics stethoscope. A failing bearing is most likely causing the whine, but wear in the p/s pump can also create a whining noise which will get noticeably louder when the wheel is turned and held against the stop with the engine running.
