A Car water pump is a component of a car that helps the cooling system of the car by pushing cool fluids into the engine
It’s able to move with the help of the belt from the crankshaft pulley or sprocket of the car. It has impeller blades with the use of centrifugal force that moves the fluids(coolant) into the cooling system through different passages and hoses.
Coolant within the engine will get heated up as it flows in, then move through the hoses to the radiator it moves through, it gets cooled down and flows again into the water pump for the same process.
This process loses tiny to no amounts of coolant if the cooling system and the pump are all in perfect condition. That is why it is advised to change your coolant after 3 to 5y ears and also the water pump after about 150,000kms.
However, in the event that you top up coolant a lot or your car overheats then there is a problem with the cooling system or the pump.
In the event that it is the water pump, these could be the signs that’s faulty
- A grinding or whining noise
- Coolant leakage
- Vibrations at the engine front or the fan
- Steam coming out of the hood
- Water pump rust
Common causes of water pump failure are
- Worn out bearings
- Poor belt tension that’s may lead to the bending of the impeller shaft
- Mixing of coolants or using the wrong type. This destroys the seals
Maintaining one in good condition usually entails having the right coolant for your car. Normally with a faulty water pump, it’s advisable to replace the whole part rather than going for repairs. It’s also cheap to purchase and better to get it from the right sources to avoid fake products. But at the time of replacing the timing belt, it’s better if you also replace the pump and have two new components at the same time.
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