Let’s talk about the water pump in your automobile in this blog post. Anderson Automotive can replace it when it goes bad, which is usually after 10 years. Your automobile relies on the water pump to circulate the coolant so the engine does not overheat. If you notice any of the problems listed below, these are signs that the water pump is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.
Rust All Over the Pump
If you do drive an automobile that has 10 years under its tires, pop the hood and take a moment to inspect the water pump. The pump is located at the front of the engine and your owner’s manual has a schematic that should point to where it is. If you see rust all over the water pump, the pump is leaking even though you don’t have coolant spots on the garage floor. The pump has a slow leak that causes the coolant to puddle around it and corrode it.
Leaking Engine Coolant
Eventually, the corrosion is going to eat through the water pump and you will have spots on the garage floor. In severe cases, you may have puddles of coolant on the floor. Naturally, the coolant leak lowers the level of coolant that is circulating through the engine. Consequently, your engine may start to run hotter than normal when you drive your automobile.
Reduced/No Circulation
Another thing that is going to cause your engine to run hotter than normal is reduced coolant circulation or no coolant circulation. This is a sign that the water pump is no longer able to produce the power it needs to push the coolant throughout the engine.
Growling/Grinding Sounds
Aside from having trouble circulating the coolant, the water pump may also grind or growl if it is wearing down. This is an indication that the internal mechanisms are rubbing against each other. As an aside, the water pump is attached to your vehicle’s accessory belt. If the problem is the belt, the water pump may not operate properly and you may hear squealing sounds.
Overheating Engine
Finally, when the water pump starts to go bad your engine’s temperature is going to rise. There is no way around this. If the water pump is leaking or unable to move the coolant through the engine, your car, truck, or utility vehicle is going to overheat every time that you drive it.
Anderson Automotive in Marion, IA, is here to help, so call us today to schedule an appointment so we can inspect and test your water pump.