Do you think the water pump bearing might be bad too?

 

It will likely fail sooner than later, the siezed fan clutch puts 100% coupling on the pump, when normally at highway speed only 20% coupling is present. The bearing is likely what you hhave been hearing. One way to "listen" to it is to use a mechanic's stethoscope (parts stores) or a good stick (broom handle) and press you ear to the stick and the stick to the pump while engine is running, you'll hear very well. You can also slip off the serpantine belt and turn by hand to feel any roughness. A new water pump gasket is like $3 so you could remove and inspect, pumps range in price from under $100 to about $150 for an new aftermarket style with a larger impeller (moves more water). When DIY keep bolts in order, and be careful not snap one off in the front cover.

When it starts to wobble, it is also eating aluminum.

 

May as well do both at same time or you will be tearing it down twice and wasting coolant. What condition are hoses in? If they are old be prepard to replace them as well to avoid bigger problems later!

 

Actually, the hoses seem in ok condition.

 

Leave the water pump alone, why spend more money than you have to?
Replace the fan clutch, it has nothing to do with the coolant in the system.
When the water pump goes bad no big deal, but deal with it then not now, unless you have extra money burning a hole in your wallet.

If you try to replace everything that might be bad you will be selling your truck before the end of the summer.

 

I just don't want it to overheat because the water pump failed

 

The water pump makes failure known usually by wobbling the pulley (your weekly fluids inspection under the hood should catch that), and/or leaking out the nose of the pump. So a water leak under the truck, except from AC drains, is always something to look into.

Now if this is your first truck, we would assume you are not a travelling road warrior that has a wife at home who is left with a Disco for days at a time. These guys have great fear of SWMBO breaking down while they are hundreds of miles away. $50 to $150 pump for them is a peace of mind investment. You can repair it if it breaks.

 

Thanks for the advise. I think I'll just replace the fan clutch for now and check the water pump regularly for leaks. When it does go out, at least I know what's wrong now.

 

The water pump will give plenty of warning, first it will squeak, then it will leak, then it will get replaced because it was leaking or your fan belt fell off because the bearings went out on it, you better not drive your truck at all because the oil pump could fail at anytime, as well as a wheel bearing, or the alternator, or fuel pump...hell, a tree might even fall on it or it could get stolen.

 

re: If you try to replace everything that might be bad

you'll never have any time to enjoy your truck - most guys don't buy one of these to wrench on every spare minute of the day and available dollar -