About the water pump:
Usually located underneath the timing belt or to the side of the front of the engine, the water pump is a key part of your car’s cooling system. The water pump is vital to your engine’s operation because it ensures that coolant keeps moving from the radiator and into the engine. This prevents overheating from occurring.
The water pump is powered by the drive belt, which powers several other components such as the power steering system and alternator. If the drive belt fails, or part of the water pump stops working, coolant will not be able to flow correctly to your engine. This can cause serious engine damage if the problem is ignored for long periods of time.
Learn more about how the water pump works
When should the water pump be replaced?
Although water pumps are designed to last a long time, they can become worn over time and cease to function correctly. This can lead to increased engine temperatures as well as several other symptoms. The average lifespan of a manufacturer-sourced water pump should exceed 90,000 km. In some cases, an original water pump will last the life of the vehicle. Cheaper replacement water pumps may not be built to the same quality and last less than 80,000 km.
Since the water pump can be difficult to remove, most mechanics will recommend that you have it replaced at the same time as the cambelt / timing belt. This is done as preventative maintenance and allows the mechanic to do everything at once, reducing labour time, costs and possible expensive engine damage if the water pump fails while driving.
Symptoms of a broken car water pump:
- Whining noises – When the pulley in the water pump becomes loose or the bearings begin to fail, you may notice high-pitched whining noises coming from the engine. This whining noise may become louder when you accelerate.
- Coolant leaks – The water pump has several seals and gaskets which keep coolant contained. Eventually, these seals and gaskets will wear out and break. This causes coolant to leak from the water pump. If you notice a leak of coolant (red, yellow, pink, clear water or green puddle) around the front of your car, we recommend that you get your car inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible.
- Overheating engine – When the water pump fails, coolant will not be able to reach your engine properly and its temperature will increase. This can be noticed via steam from your engine, a burning /overheating smell and a higher level on your dashboard’s temperature gauge. Driving with an overheating engine can cause damage to the engine. For this reason, we recommend that if your car is overheating, you pull over and turn your engine off.
New Water Pump Installation in Hamilton
Is your car in need of a water pump replacement? If so, we can help! At Grimmer Motors, our team of experienced mechanics can remove your old, damaged water pump and replaced it with a new one. This will save your engine from high running temperatures and keep your cooling system running correctly.
For new water pump installation in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!