I have a 93 subaru impreza with 120,000 miles, was driving on a stretch of highway yesterday and suddeningly i heard a continous high-pitched whining noise, i kept driving for 1 mile or so, then temp needle rised very quickly from midline to top in about 10 seconds, i immediately pulled over and shut down the engine. After a bit cooldown, i took off radiator cap and see full level of coolant. I restarted and the car idles with temp needle in mid-line. But if i rev it to maybe 2000 RPM for 40 seconds, the needle would rapidly rise again. All the while there is that continous whining from the engine.

 

The belt seems to be tight, there is no leak and all the coolant is still there. There is no prior warning before this sudden onset of whining noise. Is my water pump shot? any body has experience with this whining noise typical of their subaru water pump failing? but why is that when i idle the temp is ok and only overheats when i rev it up?

the car is currently 20 miles away, i would like to drive it home without having to pay for towing if possible

 

 

 

 

thanks for your help guys

Sounds like your waterpump is toast. The bearing my be shot. Water cooled cars dont really do anything at idle, and can idle without overheating with a poor performing cooling systemt at times. You frev the engine, your making more heat. Heat is getting dumped into the water, but since the water is barely moving, the car gets hot.

Waterpumps usually give a hint they are going bad, but i had one totaly fall apart on a nissan once, along with the whiring noise, and then finally just falling apart. Its not unheard of.

 

 

nipper

I have a 93 subaru impreza with 120,000 miles, was driving on a stretch of highway yesterday and suddeningly i heard a continous high-pitched whining noise, i kept driving for 1 mile or so, then temp needle rised very quickly from midline to top in about 10 seconds, i immediately pulled over and shut down the engine. After a bit cooldown, i took off radiator cap and see full level of coolant. I restarted and the car idles with temp needle in mid-line. But if i rev it to maybe 2000 RPM for 40 seconds, the needle would rapidly rise again. All the while there is that continous whining from the engine.

 

The belt seems to be tight, there is no leak and all the coolant is still there. There is no prior warning before this sudden onset of whining noise. Is my water pump shot? any body has experience with this whining noise typical of their subaru water pump failing? but why is that when i idle the temp is ok and only overheats when i rev it up?

the car is currently 20 miles away, i would like to drive it home without having to pay for towing if possible

 

 

 

 

thanks for your help guys

 

Definitely sounds like a bad waterpump