Squirting Coolant. Now What?!?

[Cpt Marvel]

1990 Lexus ES250. I'm sitting at a stop lite when engine starts making a funny (strange, not Ha-Ha) sound. Sounds kinda like a belt is flapping or something. Kinda at regular intervals but the duration and sounds of the flaps varies. No other indicators such as check engine lite or temp gage rising. Then the sound stops, the idle speed and sound changes a little but settles down. Lite changed color and I drove off, no unusual sounds that I could hear. Went about a mile to my destination. Got out and coolant was pouring onto the ground. Cussed. Looked under the hood and could not pinpoint the source. Looked to be mostly coming from driverside front. Upper radiator hose still firm with preassure inside. Started the car and hear a slightly high pitched whine from engine. Like a brass bushing is seized. I had just checked the oil and water level before leaving the house 20 min earlier.

My thoughts; water pump seized. Will they do this?

[Kep]

The water pump on an I4 is driven by the timing belt. If it siezes the timing belt can be damaged (look for chipped or broken teeth, that may have been what caused the noise). Of course, without water flow the engine should overheat as well. If the water was pouring from the timing belt cover area you probably have a bad water pump. Obviously, don't drive it until you fix it.

Kep

[Cpt Marvel]

I left it sitting last night and had it towed home this morning. Still starts, but makes that squalling/whining noise. Coolant in radiator is about an inch low. I've read posts about the squalling noise upon start up when cold. This thing has most assuredly been doing that. I thought it was the PS pump. I think I will post updates upon repair. Suspect that noise was idlers or water pump all along. Anyone care?

[fredk]

thats probably what it is