it just go? I was told that my water pump had leaked at least for awhile before it went and if it had been in the garage someone competent should have noticed it. Then other people have told me No it just goes.whats accurate?
You can have a small leak for a long time before a complete failure. Some cars, it's harder to inspect the front of the block than others. It's possible that even a good mechanic wouldn't have noticed it if all he's doing is a quick oil change. You might have noticed it yourself: a water pump leak would leave you with a sweet smell after you park. You might even notice it while driving, if the fumes get pulled into the car.
Water pumps go when the seal around the bearing wears out. The leak starts out slow, but once it starts, there is nothing that can be done for it other than to replace it. The leak does start out slow, and get faster, but it can go from slow to fast in just a few days. Like you notice your car over-heats and needs water, and then a couple days later it needs more, and then you gotta fill it every day, and then like every hour, and then like every five minutes. Once it starts to leak, the water will leak a little slower if the engine is running and the radiator cap is loose, so that it cannot build pressure. But that trick is only good for getting you home, and then to the shop the next day. However, with the radiator cap loose, the water will leak faster if the engine is off. My wife's last car was ruined by severely over-heating, so it is not something you want to mess with. If your car severely over-heats, you will AT LEAST blow the head-gasket. So get it fixed as soon as possible, and in the meantime, carry jugs of water with you.
Check the water-pump weep hole under the input shaft casting. You have to look underneath the pump while the car is on jack-stands or plastic ramps. The weep-hole will show the color of the coolant if it's leaking. It will leak at a higher rate with the engine is running when the cooling system is under pressure than when the car is sitting and the engine is cold. Any trusted private mechanic or new car dealer can see a water-pump leak if you can't lift the car safely to crawl underneath.
