How Do I Know If My Water Pump Bearing Is Bad?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Appearance: With the engine off, check the condition of the bearing by looking for any side-to-side play at the shaft.

Apply hand pressure

– there should be no play at all. Also, rumbling or screeching noises coming from the water pump indicate a worn bearing.

What are the signs of a bad water pump?

  • Overheating. A dead or dying water pump cannot circulate coolant through your vehicle’s engine and, as such, the engine will overheat. …
  • Coolant Leaks. Coolant leaks from the water pump are common and a clear sign that it’s time to replace the pump. …
  • Corroded Water Pump. …
  • Whining Noises.

What causes water pump bearings to go bad?

The most common water-pump failure is due to worn bearings. … And

mixing coolants, or using the wrong coolant

, can cause damage to the water-pump seals and bearings, and can lead to the impeller shaft to fail. If the pump is out, look at the impeller for signs of corrosion or cavitation.

Does a water pump make noise when it goes out?

Worn out bearings are the most common cause of water pump failure. Water pumps move a huge amount of coolant over time, and they simply wear out. Ask your customer if they loosened a belt tensioner and checked both the tensioner(s) and water pump. Belt tensioners can also rattle when they are worn out.

What does a bad water pump bearing sound like?

Worn bearings can also cause a clicking or squeaking noise. Sometimes these can be heard with the engine idling. Your customer may hear these more clearly after shutting off the engine and loosening the tensioner. Then they can spin the pump by hand, and listen for noises.

Can you drive with a bad water pump?

The coolant is no longer circulating properly through the car. Heating and cooling may be affected by the vehicle. The car may begin to overheat as well. It is possible to drive your vehicle without a water pump, but

not good to

.

How expensive is it to replace a water pump?

The average water pump replacement cost is

$550

, with prices ranging from $461 to $638 in the US in 2020. But typically depends on the type of vehicle you drive and the auto repair shop you take it to. Labor costs are between $256 and $324 while parts cost between $205 and $314. Estimate doesn’t include fees and taxes.

How long do water pumps last?

Manufacturer recommendations will usually range from

3 to 5 years

or 50,000 to 100,000 miles. In areas with more severe hot or cold weather, that interval may be more frequent.

How long does it take to replace a water pump?

How long does it take to replace a water pump? Replacing a water pump can be a steady half-day’s work. A simple and straightforward switch might only take 2 hours, but some of the more complicated could take even the most competent mechanic a full day. We’d suggest

between 2 and 4 hours

for the majority.

How long will a water pump last after it starts leaking?

The service life of most original equipment water pumps should be

100,000 miles or longer

. Some cheap replacement water pumps, however, may not last 30,000 miles before they start to leak. That’s why you should recommend a top-quality replacement water pump if a customer’s old water pump has called it quits.

How do I stop my water pump from making noise?

  1. Throttle the pressure-side valves until the noises are eliminated.
  2. Trim the impeller diameter.
  3. Reduce pump speed.
  4. Add a flow recirculation line.
  5. Install a variable frequency drive and remove control valves.

How do you test a water pump bearing?

One way to check for worn out or failed water pump bearing; is

to check for water pump shaft movement

. So, with a faulty bearing, you can often hear a squealing, howling; or sometimes a grinding noise coming from the front of the engine.

Will bad water pump cause overheating?

The water pump cycles coolant from the radiator throughout the engine, absorbing the heat and wicking it away into the atmosphere.

When water pumps go bad, it causes your engine to overheat

—and that leads to all sorts of trouble.

Can a bad thermostat cause a water pump to leak?


There is a leak of the Coolant

. The glossy green leak under the water pump will usually show up on the floor. … A stuck thermostat will cause your engine to heat up.

What are the signs of a blown head gasket?

  • White smoke coming from the tailpipe.
  • BUBBLING IN THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT RESERVOIR.
  • unexplained coolant loss with no leaks.
  • Milky white coloration in the oil.
  • Engine overheating.

Can a bad water pump cause loss of power?

If the

water pump fails the camshaft belt could break and cause serious damage

to the engine valves and pistons, which could cause the complete engine to fail. The water pump and camshaft belt components should be changed immediately.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.