Everything You Need to Know About Your Car’s Water Pump
September 20th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA
Your car’s water pump plays a key role in your vehicle’s performance. In fact, if your water pump stops working, your engine could fail.
What Does a Water Pump Do in a Car?
Your car’s water pump helps coolant move through the engine block, radiator, and hoses. In doing so, the pump ensures that your engine won’t overheat.
Generally, a water pump consists of an accessory belt that runs from a crankshaft pulley. The pump relies on impeller blades and centrifugal force to push cool water into the engine.
After cool water reaches the engine, it flows around the engine and moves to hoses, which carry it to the radiator. Next, the water is cooled once again by air that travels over the radiator’s fins. The water then moves out of the radiator and travels back to the water pump; at this time, the process repeats itself.
How Long Does a Water Pump Last?
A typical water pump lasts up to 90,000 miles. The pump can often be replaced at the same time as a car’s timing belt.
Can You Drive a Car with a Bad Water Pump?
A bad water pump is a disaster waiting to happen, so you should avoid driving your car if you believe your water pump is defective. If you know how to tell if your water pump is bad, you can identify and mitigate water pump issues before they cause serious damage to your car.
Signs of a Bad Water Pump
There are many signs that your car’s water pump may be malfunctioning and needs to be replaced, and these include:
1. Coolant Is Leaking from Your Car
Multiple gaskets and seals keep coolant inside your car’s water pump. But, when these gaskets and seals wear down, coolant will seep through them. If you notice coolant leaking under the center of your car, your water pump may be defective. To verify that this is the case, you should take your car to a certified automotive repair shop to have it inspected.
2. Your Car’s Motor Is Making a Whining Noise
A loose belt can cause a high-pitched sound that emanates from your car’s motor. In this scenario, a pulley is loose or bearings that operate your water pump assembly may be wearing out. Thus, if you notice a loud whining noise from your motor any time you accelerate, you should bring your car to a certified automotive repair shop.
3. Your Car’s Engine Is Overheating
If your car’s water pump stops working, your vehicle may be unable to circulate coolant through the engine block. The result: your car may overheat any time you try to drive it. In this case, you should have your car checked out by a certified auto body shop to find out if the water pump and any engine components need to be replaced.
The aforementioned symptoms of a bad water pump may be avoided if you have your car inspected by certified technicians regularly. These technicians can inspect your water pump and other car components, perform maintenance and repairs, and ensure your vehicle runs properly for an extended period of time.
This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto Downey, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing the Downey and surrounding communities in the Los Angeles County.
