Your car's water pump is the key to making the entire system work. It is an impeller pump and is
usually buried under the timing belt cover on the side of the engine
. The pump is operated by the engine's drive belt – as the belt turns, the pump turns.
Where is the water pump located at?
The pump is
mounted on the front of the engine
and is driven by a belt which also drives the alternator. Water pumps wear out through age, through lack of lubrication on older types — which need greasing — or because the drive belt is too tight.
How do you know if you have 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.
How hard is it to replace a water pump?
While removing the pump
is not difficult
, you must have experience removing and replacing timing belts and their various components. It takes just as much work to get down to the timing belt as it does the water pump, therefore you should plan on replacing the belt at the same time.
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.
Can I drive with bad water pump?
If you keep driving a car with a bad water pump for long, it might
overheat and cause complete damage to
your vehicle's engine. … In short, you can drive a vehicle with a bad water pump. The car will move, but if you fail to repair the pump in time, the engine will completely stall.
What happens when water pump goes out while driving?
If the water pump in your car fails,
the motive force for the coolant quickly goes away allowing the water in the engine to heat up very quickly
and your engine to overheat, possibly causing damage. … If this happens to you, quickly pull over and shut down your engine.
What does a bad water pump sound like?
Whining or Groaning Noise
A whining or groaning noise usually means that either a drive belt is loose, or the water pump pulley is bad. It may surprise your customer that a pulley could fail. It does occasionally happen. Pulleys may fail due to rust, which can cause cracking between their bolt holes.
How many hours does it take to replace a water pump?
The process can take
two or three hours or more
. If you're paying a mechanic for the repair, that can lead to an expensive charge for labor. (You can search for the best mechanics in your area with Carfax.) As a result, it's a good idea to replace your water pump whenever you have your timing belt replaced.
What causes a water pump to go bad?
Contaminated coolant, non-compatible coolant, or mixing coolants of different chemistries
leads to premature water pump failure. Harmful contamination is common in systems that are not properly maintained. … The coolant should be entirely replaced with the correct vehicle manufacturer's recommended coolant.
Will Stop Leak fix water pump?
The liquid stop-leak product poured into the radiator will flow to the water pump seal and possibly seal or slow the leak. … Stop-leak products are not a permanent solution and
will only serve as a temporary fix
.
Can a water pump be repaired?
Once the bearings fail inside the water pump, it means
the unit cannot be repaired
and will need to be replaced entirely. If you notice that there is a loud whining sound coming from the front of your motor that increases in volume as you accelerate, contact a mechanic as soon as possible to inspect your vehicle.
How long will a bad water pump last?
How Long Does the Water Pump Last? Water pumps last for a long time, but they do have a lifespan. Of course, it depends on the maker and the type of the vehicle, so it's best to check your manual. On average, it can last for somewhere
between 60,000 and 90,000 miles.
How do I know if my water pump is working?
- Step 1: Check the temperature gauge. …
- Step 2: Listen for noises. …
- Step 3: Check the air temperature. …
- Step 4: Check water pump pulley. …
- Step 5: Check for leaks. …
- Step 6: Inspect the coolant reservoir.
How do you troubleshoot a water pump?
- Record start pressure of pump.
- TURN POWER OFF.
- Drain water from tank by opening valve or faucet, leave it open.
- With tire gauge check air pressure. Air pressure should be 2 lbs. …
- If start pressure is unknown add air to 25 lbs. …
- If tank will not hold air – CALL FOR SERVICE.
