2000 STS making weird rattle sounds by the water pump area & water pump belt housing - Page 2

submariner409 · #16 (**permalink**) 09-11-09, 09:47 PM

Go to Walgreen and get a cheap stethoscope. Remove the chest diaphragm and install a 2 foot piece of plastic or copper tube about 3/16" or 1/4" ID. Use that to listen to bearings and rotating part attachments. Careful !!! Amazing what you'll discover. For vacuum leak detection, substitute a length of equivalent rubber hose (Help! blister pack rack at a big parts house...) and snoop around.

**Ranger** · #17 (**permalink**) 09-11-09, 10:03 PM

You'll be amazed at the things you'll hear.

chazglenn3 · #18 (**permalink**) 09-11-09, 11:24 PM

I have used a mechanics stethoscope on my motorcycles and never thought to try it on the car! Thanks for the suggestions. It's gotta be the water pump bearing, though. I have noticed some weird temp gauge fluctuations as well...