Mkay so im pretty sure mine is bad, basically sounds like a power steering pump low on fluid but all the time and no change when i turn the wheel,and noise is coming from that area...Question is...worst case whats gunna happen?...whats most common to happen?
Changing it isnt an affordable option at this time as im not going to not change the timing chain too, so am just trying to decide if i need to not drive it unless i have to or will it just be noisy like it is (wishful thinking i know)
2000z24 2.4~)

The bearing is prolly bad, mine did that recently even though it was 2 years old with 30000 mies onit. just kept gettin worse til i narrowed it down to that, and stopped driving it til i had the time to fix it 3 weeks later, dont want anything breakin, especially running on the timing chain.

Baddd things can happen. The water pump is a very important part to keep the motor at proper operating temp but also could cause a failure that your timing chain would become loose/sloppy and cause jumped timing. Best case scenario it will jump time a bit and run like crap and you stop driving it then. Worst case it jumps alot, causes piston/valve contact and your looking at head job and possibly piston damage.


Have a nice day.

For a new car person the water pump is a little difficult but with some confidence not to bad
probably take a solid 7 hours if your not used to mechanical work