Broken water pump vane

[mk07gen3]

I have a 2007 3500 5. 9 with 60,000 mi on it and the serpentine belt came off the other day. I checked the water pump pulley and it was very wobbly. After removing the pump I noticed one of the 5 vanes had broken off. The piece that broke off is roughly the size of a quarter. I tried using a long, flexible magnetic pickup tool to fish down and around the water pump opening on the block to no avail. I also removed the thermostat and did the same thing in the thermostat housing and found nothing. I removed the lower radiator house and let the remaining coolant drain out and still did not find the broken vane. I also checked the side tank of the radiator where the lower radiator hose connects and nothing. The vane did not fall on to the ground or anywhere else on the truck. For sure the piece is inside the block somewhere. I need some advice as to what I should do. I have a prepaid, non-refundable camping trip with my family which is scheduled to start this Friday. I have a new belt and pump that I could install but I am afraid of what might happen during the trip. Is there anything else I could do to find this broken vane and get it out of the block, short of pulling the engine and disassembling? Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks.

 

[Prairie Dog]

If it wasn't over heating before then it probably isn't someplace where it's clogging up anything. You did your best and unless someone else has an idea where it would get jammed, I would just install the new pump and take it for a run to see if it still runs cool.

The thing I don't understand is why some folks have them wear out bearings at such low mileage and others get many miles out of them. I've got 80K and mines as tight as it was when new.

 

[cerberusiam]

Replace the water pump and go on vacation. Doubtful that small a piece will make a difference in cooling or cause problems.

 

[NIsaacs]

The flow from the water pump enters the oil cooler first so it is probably stuck there. Like others have said it will probably be fine, however Murphys Law... .



Nick

 

[CumminSense]

I also have two vanes broken off, and I can't find them. Looks like the bearing got loose, vane started rubbing on block, and it snapped off the perpendicular piece of the vanes at the bend in them.



Where is the oil cooler, is it removable, and how difficult is it to remove? All help appreciated!

 

[cerberusiam]

Where is the oil cooler, is it removable, and how difficult is it to remove? All help appreciated!

Behind the oil filter mounting boss. Not as bad as some parts to remove.