Unless you're Superman and have x-ray vision, there's no way to REALLY tell when your water pump will break but there are tell-tale signs that it is on its way out...and ways that you can prevent pre-mature failure.

1. Check for small leaks through something called the weep hole. It's a small hole about 1/8 of an inch on the bottom of the pump that is used for when brainless people fill their radiator up with water and let it freeze overnight, but more on that later. If the weep hole has moisture or water streaks around it, it's a good bet that the seal is going.

2. Check the bearing by moving the fan or pulley side to side or up and down while the engine is NOT RUNNING of course. If the bearing is worn, it will have a lot of play. If you find that it is worn, replace the water pump now! You don't want to re-style your hood with the imprint of the radiator fan (although some make think this is cool, Yeah!).

3. If you can get your hands on a coolant system pressure tester, get one. This will let you pressurize the cooling system while the engine is cold and you can check for pinhole leaks at the gasket or seal. These leaks may start small and then eventually become larger. Normally, the engine is hot when the system is pressurized, making it very uncomfortable when you stick your head between the radiator and engine block. Yes Paris, "That's hot".

Now for tips on how to prevent failure:

1. Make sure you have a good antifreeze mix. At least 50/50 that's water and antifreeze, although a little more antifreeze won't hurt. What will hurt is the water when the temperature drops below freezing. You see, ice expands and pushes out the seal, then it thaws, then it leaks.

2. Don't tighten your belts with everything you've got, Hercules. Make them tight but leave about to an inch of deflection. Most cars now have an automatic tensioner so you don't have to worry, but making the belts too tight can ruin bearings and actually shear off the pulleys.

Also, make sure you don't run the system dry although if you do I think you'll be more worried about something called a head gasket than the water pump!

Learn more about this author, Louis Winthorpe III.
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