Primary Care Auto Repair advises that if your water pump malfunctions, the engine is going to overheat. We will talk more about the reasons why below. The factory water pump will not last forever. It will, however, last about 10 years or 100,000 miles. If you are having any of the following problems, these are signs that the water pump is going bad and needs to be replaced.
Rusty Water Pump
If you drive an older automobile, we recommend that you pop the hood and inspect the water pump when the engine is cold. If you see rust on the water pump, it’s leaking slowly. It’s important to replace the pump at this stage before a more serious leak develops. The corrosion on the water pump will eat away at the metal and cause a larger coolant leak.
Leaking Coolant
Unfortunately, this will leave you with leaking coolant on the garage floor. The spots or puddle of coolant will be located underneath your engine at the front of it. The water pump is located there. As an aside, coolant can also leak out of the radiator hoses, the thermostat, the radiator, or the overflow reservoir. It’s important to have a coolant leak repaired ASAP.
Poor Circulation
Leaking coolant is just one reason why your engine will overheat. If the water pump is malfunctioning, the engine will overheat due to poor coolant circulation. A faulty water pump may not push the coolant through the engine with the force that it needs. Consequently, your engine may be starved of coolant and the temperature will rise beyond normal and into overheating.
Growling Noises
The water pump can also start to growl when it malfunctions. This growling or grinding sound is an indication that the water pump is wearing out on the inside. As an aside, the water pump is attached to your vehicle’s accessory belt for power. If you hear squealing coming from the engine, the accessory belt may be loose. This can affect how well the water pump performs.
Overheating
Finally, it makes perfect sense that your SUV, truck, or car’s engine will overheat if the water pump is not operating as it should be or leaking engine coolant. The engine needs a constant stream of coolant in the correct amounts in order to keep the temperature below 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
Call Primary Care Auto Repair in Warwick, RI, today if you suspect that your vehicle needs a new water pump. We can test the pump and replace it if necessary.