Almost all modern vehicles use a liquid cooling system for their engines. The concept is pretty straightforward and has been around for ages. The system consists of a radiator to provide cooling and a water pump to circulate the liquid through the engine. When the water pump starts failing, the engine's cooling capacity is reduced, resulting in overheating and, ultimately, a seized engine. To avoid expensive repairs and ruining your engine, we will tell you more about water pumps and how to diagnose if your car needs a new one.
The standard water pump design consists of a metal housing and a rotor which pushes the cooling liquid through the system. When the water pump is on its way out, problems will occur with the housing sealing, jammed rotor bearing, or clogged inner channels inside the pump. Here is how you determine the issue:
Puddles Of Cooling Liquid On The Floor – If the water pump housing is cracked or the sealing has deteriorated due to age or wear, the cooling liquid will start dripping on the floor. You will likely notice this quickly due to large green or red liquid puddles forming underneath your car. If your water pump is easily reachable, check for moisture around it, a clear sign that you need to replace the pump.
High Engine Temperatures – If the water pump fails to deliver the appropriate amount of coolant to the engine, the engine's working temperature will rise above the normal level. If you are cruising the highway and your temperature readings are high, or the car is close to overheating, this is another clear sign that the water pump is not doing its job.
Strange, Grinding Noise Coming From The Engine – Since the water pump is belt-driven, a bearing is connected to the rotor inside. When that bearing starts to fail, it will produce grinding noises, indicating that something is wrong.
A sure sign that the noise comes from the water pump is that the sound intensifies when you accelerate. If you hear something like this, act fast since a faulty bearing can damage the cam belt, and if it snaps, the engine will be ruined.
Water pump replacement is part of a regular maintenance schedule. How often you need to replace the pump depends on the make and model of your car. You should replace the water pump after 60,000 to 100,000 miles for most modern vehicles. If your car is new, there is no need to worry about it. However, if you drive an older car, be sure to mention it to your mechanic. For those who want to keep your vehicle in perfect working order, this is a maintenance item you shouldn't skip.
When you restore a car that has sat around for a long time, the water pump is one of the first things to replace. Liquid sitting in the cooling system for years will almost certainly damage the pump internals and seals. So, if you are "waking up" an old engine, replacing the water pump and going through the cooling system should be on top of the to-do list, just under the oil change and new fuel pump.
Again, it depends on the vehicle. Some older cars have easily accessible water pumps which can be changed in your driveway using standard tools and a service manual. In some cases, when the water pump sealing is cracked, you can remove the pump, reseal the housing, and put it back on. However, since you are taking the car's water pump off, we suggest replacing it to ensure that it will work properly.
However, modern vehicles aren't very DIY-friendly, and changing the water pump can be a bit complicated and above the skill level of the average car enthusiast. Suppose your car has an electric water pump. In that case, we suggest you take it to professionals due to the complicated removal procedures and the possible need for specific tools and electronics involved in the process.
In terms of pricing, changing the water pump will set you back anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $1,000 if you have a high-end vehicle. This cost includes both parts and labor.
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