Do water pumps give a warning before they break?

[billb]

...it began leaking slightly, and was loose to the touch. On the other hand, it can do like the original pump did in my wife's '95 525i, and just break off completely on the way home from work, with no warning at all. If you're unsure, it takes about an hour and $100 to replace it versus killing a head gasket or cracking a head if it lets go on the highway...your call.

[Jersey General]

Good point!