Has anyone ever even HEARD of this happening? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

I_R_Josh · 02-01-2009, 06:26 AM

Here's the scenario.

I'm using my 88 chevy pickup (which I had just drove back and forth to work the previous day) to jump my wifes suburban. I have both hoods open, the jumper cables attached, the pickup running, and I'm giving it a minute or two before I try to start the suburban.

As I exit my pickup I hear a loud "CRACK! WHACK THUP THUP!" and other various noises coming from the front of the truck. I peak around the front of the truck to see oil and antifreeze spraying EVERYWHERE! I quickly grab the ignition and shut the truck off to survey the damage.

The water pump, with fan attached, fell off the front of the truck. Since it was running, the spinning fan cut through the fan shroud and cut coolant and oil lines running to the radiator. After looking at it, it's not as bad as I initially feared. There was so much oil and coolant sprayed all over and on the underside of the hood that it looked like my engine had been murdered with an axe.

**RJ Gleason** · 02-01-2009, 08:15 AM

Simple cast iron metal fatigue.
That's what you get for driving a "Bow Tie".

IndianRvrShiver · 02-01-2009, 08:20 AM

WOW!! That's a first for me!!

I_R_Josh · 02-01-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ Gleason

Simple cast iron metal fatigue.
That's what you get for driving a "Bow Tie".

That "Bow tie" (It's actually a GMC so suck it) is the best piece of machinery I've ever owned. I've driven it for the last 11 years and it's never left me stranded. And I was not nice to it in my younger years.....

That water pump is around 3 years old. Could there have been a chunk of ice in the system that caused it to break? It was close to -12 when it fell off but had been running for 5-10 minutes....

JheLrey · 02-03-2009, 11:11 PM

At least it was at an idle and you weren't cruising at 70mph...

freakout · 02-04-2009, 12:05 AM

Damn!! Mines a bowtie 440,000 km all original drivetrain, lots of bodywork. Check out FSC Forum - Chevy Truck if ya need any info. Lots of nice people on there with lots of info.

**smallengineguy** · 02-04-2009, 07:11 AM

Wow! Never seen that before! RJ's just jealous because his Ford did that at 10,000 mi....

**BC_Dan** · 02-04-2009, 09:59 AM

Wow, you're lucky it didn't take out the radiator in the process! That has to make us all nervous, those parts just don't fail. If you were using 50/50 antifreeze, there was no ice in the system. 50/50 will keep from freezing down to -34, and even then, the antifreeze turns to a slushy and not solid until well below that. I would check all the idler bearings while you have it off, too...

I_R_Josh · 02-04-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Wow, you're lucky it didn't take out the radiator in the process! That has to make us all nervous, those parts just don't fail. If you were using 50/50 antifreeze, there was no ice in the system. 50/50 will keep from freezing down to -34, and even then, the antifreeze turns to a slushy and not solid until well below that. I would check all the idler bearings while you have it off, too...

It could have easily taken out the radiator. It could have failed while driving down the road and spinning a lot faster and done a lot more damage. I was lucky it happened in my driveway.

Has anyone ever even HEARD of this happening?-102_5242.jpg

mrcleary · 02-16-2009, 09:58 AM

Now thats interesting,just looked at the post.Was the pump an aftermaket rebuild or new? Normally on the fords they seize so bad you can't get anthing apart at least the bowtie wants to come apart.

**RJ Gleason** · 02-16-2009, 10:46 AM

Just messin with ya, I have had many GM trucks over the years too.
My guess would still be metal fatigue/casting defect along with the cold temps.

mx and sled 41 · 02-22-2009, 10:22 AM

wow never heard of that... good luck with the repairs... hope it turns out ok for ya

Snakeman · 02-25-2009, 08:35 PM

Worked for a GM dealer(licensed tech)for 15 years and have never seen that.I would take a long look at that clutch fan(the actual fan is toast anyway)to make sure it isn't loose.If the fan blades were bent before it would wobble and cause stress.