How long does a waterpump generally leak before giving out?

2001 Ford ZX2.

Today, after a quick run to the store about a mile away, I came out to find that the car had been losing antifreeze and was dripping while the car was off. So in the 10 minutes or so that I was inside, it lost a few ounces of antifreeze and was producing a single drip every 3-4 seconds.

When I got it home, it wasn't dripping anymore. Not even a single drip.

I let it cool off for over an hour and then I jacked it up to see what I could see. It appeared to be coming from the right front and was dripping down onto a guard. I removed the guard and started trying to trace the problem. I saw where it seemed to be originating from, and after looking at a diagram of what all of the pulleys were… I see that this is apparently the water pump (the pulley right above the Crankshaft pulley in the center). It seems to be lightly coming out from an unknown spot… I could see a small line of coolant starting to form before it ran across and dripped down. It was dripping down onto the next part below (crankshaft pulley) and running down to the bottom of that particular part housing.

I just noticed it today, and it very well may have started this either today or very recently. The radiator was still full and the overflow reservoir was a little below the "cold full" area when it was hot, but still had a decent amount in it.

Added (1). How long do these typically keep working before failing? Will it increase in the amount that it leaks with time?

I checked all of the hoses… The radiator hose where it joins the radiator and water pump. It looked fine. I also checked what appeared to be a smaller return hose that leads from just above the main radiator hose and goes all the way around to the back of the engine… It is about half as big around as the main hose, but is still rubber. That seems to be fine, as well.

Added (2). My main concern is antifreeze getting on the belt and causing it to slip off somehow, like about a year ago. We once sprang a leak in the main radiator hose and it opened up and sprayed with quite a bit of pressure onto the drive belt and the whole belt came off.

Things are a little financially challenged this week… Should be able to get it replaced in a week or two. What are my chances of making it through without this getting worse and/or giving out?

Usually if its leaking, thats when it gave out. Common sense should tell you to get it fixed now before it comes to the point where it starts pouring out & your in the middle of no where with n overheated engine. So there's no time frame on how long it lasts. The question really is how much your willing to spend when it fails badly & takes out something else more expensive?

A lot of people usually say they don't have the money but exactly how much of that no money you don't have will it cost when you have to replace the engine after it seized & now your walking?

But there's no set mileage or time it may or may not last. I have seen them leak for a long time to the point when it just pours out & I have seen them trickle one day & then the next day it gushing out on the ground & you can't even keep the reservoir semi full

It can fail completely and blow all the coolant out at any time. I wouldn't drive it until it's replaced. The tow bill will be over $100 and if you overheat the motor (temp gauge will not be accurate) it could cost you more than $2500!

You might have a day, week, or month. Buy waterpump w/ gasket As soon as possible, they're cheap and easy to replace.

Quite soon.

Replace the water pump immediately. Don't risk letting the water get too low. Low water could ruin the engine.

Right now the front seals are leaking the pump may work for awhile you will lose coolant so check that everyday and keep a jug of water in the trunk. When the pump actually fails you will know it your temp will just jump with in a few minutes of even starting it. The beginning signs are a huge fluctuation in temp it goes from regular to hot then back to regular soon enough it won't go back down.