There are many things that can go wrong with your vehicle, but nothing is as scary as when your engine begins to overheat. If you have ever been in this situation and you see steam billowing from your hood, it can easily raise your blood pressure and stress level. Hopefully, most drivers know that the number one rule for an overheating vehicle is to pull over to a safe spot and let the engine cool down. If you remember anything from reading this, do not continue driving when your car overheats!
So, maybe this has happened to you before. But what causes your car to overheat and what can you do to avoid this from happening? This article looks at a primary component of your coolant system, the water pump. Armed with knowledge about your vehicle’s water pump, you may be able to prevent this problem from ever occurring.
Water Pump Basics
Think of your vehicle’s water pump as a way that your car’s engine keeps itself hydrated to regulate temperature. Just as you know to drink more water when you are overheated or sweating, your vehicle has a way of regulating its internal temperature – the vehicle cooling system. The water pump is a critical part of your vehicle’s cooling system that keeps your vehicle temperature stable.
The water pump’s main purpose is to continuously circulate fluids, or coolant, throughout the engine, hoses, and the radiator. The circulation of fluids enables the engine to maintain an ideal temperature to keep it running effectively. The water pump is controlled by a serpentine belt that moves and creates a flow of fluids through the system. It doesn’t matter if it is belt driven or electric, they both suffer similar failures – impellers falling off, leaking coolant into the bearings or drive mechanism. Just like a belt falling off if the electrical connector overheats the pump stops spinning.
There are a few issues that can cause your water pump to fail. Water pump failure results in stress and overheating of your vehicle’s engine and parts. The more typical issues that will cause your water pump to fail include the following:
- Your water pump leaks fluids that are needed to circulate through the engine;
- Your water pump has a broken fan blade or blades, diminishing its ability to circulate the fluids; or,
- Your water pump has loose, cracked or missing bearings.
When You Know Something’s Wrong
So, how do you know if something’s going wrong with your water pump? There are some tell-tale things that can alert you to a potential problem.
| You notice coolant on the ground underneath the front of your vehicle. | Sometimes the gaskets or seals that are part of your coolant system crack or wear down due to constant heat and vibration. This erosion can result in leaks of coolant that is now not being circulated throughout your vehicle. |
| You see steam coming from the hood. | Steam is an obvious sign that there’s something wrong with your cooling system. If the fluids get hot enough, they will produce steam and burn off, overheating your engine. |
| Your engine light comes on and your engine is overheated. | Overheating may be able to be addressed by letting the engine cool, but the problem will not go away. If you continue to have an overheated engine, you could be doing further damage to your engine which may result in very costly replacement or repairs. |
| You hear a high-pitched noise coming from the front of the vehicle. | Because a water pump operates with a pulley and belts, they can sometimes become worn and cracked. Worn and cracked pulleys or belts can become loose and not operate the mechanism as effectively. The sound you hear is the result of sagging and reverberation from the belt. |
How to Keep Your Water Pump Pumping
While a failed water pump can be disastrous to the health of your vehicle’s engine, it doesn’t have to get to that point. You can take a few preventive measures to minimize the potential for problems and avoid costly repairs.
Here are a few things you can do proactively to avoid problems with your water pump:
- Check and replenish coolant levels regularly (at least every few months)
- Consider a coolant system flush – replacing the fluids with clean fluids
- Examine belts and hoses to ensure that there is no cracking or excessive wear
- Always address engine lights and warning quickly to avoid further damage to your engine
If you are concerned that there may be a potential problem with your water pump, schedule an appointment with Shade Tree Garage in Morristown, New Jersey. One of our service professionals will inspect your vehicle’s cooling system and make the necessary recommendations and repairs to keep your pump pumping.