How to Identify a Bad Water Pump?

The water pump in any vehicle is responsible for circulating the coolant through the engine block to keep its operating temperature correct. It is generally located on the front side of the engine and either bolted to the engine block or a water housing. Water pumps are typically driven by a timing belt connected to the engine crankshaft an impeller a component of the water pump circulates fluid whenever the engine is running. When the coolant is pumped, it circulates through the engine block, cylinder heads and then flows back to the radiator and back into the pump. If the water pump malfunctions or timing belt is faulty then the coolant will not circulate through the cooling system and the engine gets overheated. Water pumps can fail for many reasons like damaged head gasket, broken timing belt, faulty cylinder head, defective seals & bearings, loose pulley etc. Vehicle owners should watch for certain symptoms that indicate the defective water pumps.

Overheating Of Engine

When there is a problem with water pump operation, the fluid will not circulate through the cooling system. The engine temperature then goes above normal and it begins to overheat. It is important to look for cracks, leaks and damages that reduce the level of coolant. Also a worn or broken water pump impeller or slippage of impeller on the shaft can reduce the circulation pressure. When coolant level is low the heat remains inside the engine and turns into steam as temperature rises. In case you notice smoke or steam coming from under the hood the engine should be shut off immediately before any further damage occurs. You will also notice a warning light on the dash coming on indicating the engine is overheated.

Coolant Leaking From The Front Of Your Car

Don’t ignore if you notice a coolant leakage on the ground under your car. It could be that the water pump housing gasket or the "weep" hole at the bottom of the pump has a leakage. It is also common for the pump shaft seals to leak when they are worn out or have a bad bearing. Also check for cracks around the water pump in the block area or near the cylinder heads. When the coolant level reduces, it will overheat and can cause the block or cylinder heads to crack causing a pressure to enter the coolant system. This will sometimes result in leakage of coolant from the overflow tank. If you discover a faulty seal or crack in the engine block area it could require a water pump replacement.

Damaged Bearings

When the bearings of water pump impeller shaft deteriorate they make squeaking or screeching noises when the engine is running. The noise could be distinctively high when the engine is idling. It is important to check for the tension applied on the timing belt or any misalignment that can damage the pump shaft bearings. Also grasp the pulley and move it side to side or back & forth to check the condition of bearings. There should be no wobble in timing belt and pulley. If you notice any shaking in belt or pulley along with the noise then it is an indication that there is a problem with water pump. Bad or damaged bearings may require water pump replacement.

Waterpumpu.com was put together by the professionals at US Motor Works (USMW), the manufacturer of electric fuel pumps, fan clutches, automotive water pumps, oil pumps, cooling accessories and other automotive & heavy duty engine parts. Waterpumpu is designed specifically to provide information on automobile coolant systems including water pump installation and system diagnosis, automotive cooling system maintenance, water pump repair or replacement, engine over heating issues, trouble shooting coolant leaks etc. For further details, please visit http://www.waterpumpu.com.

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