Your water pump is responsible for circulating engine coolant through the engine, so you can imagine you’ll end up with a ton of problems if the water pump goes bad. The average lifespan of a water pump is 60,000 miles to 90,000 miles; some have been known to last longer. How can you tell if your water pump is going bad? Accurate Auto lists the signs below.
Bad Coolant Circulation
The water pump is powered by the drive belt. It also has an impeller to keep the coolant circulating. If coolant is not circulating through your engine, the water pump is to blame. This, naturally, will cause your engine to overheat. An overheating engine can damage the metal parts that move together.
Coolant Leaks
If you see coolant leaking from the front of your automobile, it is either leaking from the water pump or radiator. Engine coolant is a wide variety of colors, including red, green, blue, and yellow. The water pump is located in front of your engine behind the fan. Leaks coming from there are coming from the water pump.
Slow Leaks
Your water pump can also develop a slow leak, and you won’t notice spots on your garage floor. What you can see, however, is coolant deposited on the outside of the water pump. This looks like gel. It causes a gunky buildup all around the water pump.
Whining Noises
If the drive belt is loose, it will make whining noises that increase as you pick up speed. It may sound as if the noises are coming from the water pump, but it’s actually the drive belt. The water pump will grind or growl if the internal bearings are going bad. This sound is definitely coming from the water pump.
Overheating Engine
As we said above, if the water pump isn’t circulating coolant through the engine, the engine will overheat. If the water pump is leaking, you may also get a low coolant warning on your vehicle’s dashboard. If your car overheats all the time, it could be the water pump.
Visible Steam
Once your car gets too hot, you may see steam coming out from underneath the hood. It’s important that you stop driving your vehicle immediately. The engine is way too hot and it’s dangerous to continue driving. Not only will you damage the engine but you could also blow the radiator cap.
You’ll find an Accurate Auto in Beaverton, OR, as well as Lake Oswego and Hillsboro, OR. Call the shop closest to you to schedule a water pump inspection.