Water Pump Failure

[HomeMadeSin]

2018 Yukon XL Denali, 79k miles on the clock. Making the trek home from southern FL last night (27 Dec 2024). About an hour and a half left to go, I start hearing a chirping sound. Inconsistent but definitely noticeable. Had the Mrs, cat and Xmas stuff so my plan was to listen and watch. For a while, the temp gauge was fine. Then it started edging up…so I slowed down. This helped move it back to 210F. I knew the fans were plastic but I kept thinking something was hitting the blades. Just 45 mins to go….

And then the temp climbs to 260 and engine dies. Insert FAFO stamp on my forehead for trying to nurse it home.

Got a tow from the darkest shoulder in I-95 (it seemed) to a very small town repair shop after hours. Bottom line: failed water pump. The WP pulley was loose and caused a near total loss of coolant and the serpentine belt slipped off.

Already repaired and working ok. Just a bunch of coolant in the engine bay, driver side. Just never had a complete failure of a water pump before. Lesson learned.

Z

 

[Doubeleive]

2018 Yukon XL Denali, 79k miles on the clock. Making the trek home from southern FL last night (27 Dec 2024). About an hour and a half left to go, I start hearing a chirping sound. Inconsistent but definitely noticeable. Had the Mrs, cat and Xmas stuff so my plan was to listen and watch. For a while, the temp gauge was fine. Then it started edging up…so I slowed down. This helped move it back to 210F. I knew the fans were plastic but I kept thinking something was hitting the blades. Just 45 mins to go….

And then the temp climbs to 260 and engine dies. Insert FAFO stamp on my forehead for trying to nurse it home.

Got a tow from the darkest shoulder in I-95 (it seemed) to a very small town repair shop after hours. Bottom line: failed water pump. The WP pulley was loose and caused a near total loss of coolant and the serpentine belt slipped off.

Already repaired and working ok. Just a bunch of coolant in the engine bay, driver side. Just never had a complete failure of a water pump before. Lesson learned.

Z

ya these "modular" water pumps on the k2's are not the greatest, but at least they can be repaired rather easily and cheap compared to having to replace the whole pump manifold assembly

 

[swathdiver]

That's a rarity! Glad the motor didn't drop a valve seal after it got hot. The previous generation 6.2s were known for this.

What town did you break down at?

 

[Doubeleive]

That's a rarity! Glad the motor didn't drop a valve seal after it got hot. The previous generation 6.2s were known for this.

What town did you break down at?

i got lucky with mine and caught it "dangling by a thread" and managed to limp it a few miles to the dealer under warranty @36k.
I heard it making noise previous to that but thought it might be the vacuum pump since it is right behind it.