Corrosion Can Destroy Your Water Pump
If your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s water pump has a slow leak that is causing engine coolant to pool around the pump and the housing, you will end up with a corroded water pump that is damaged. Unfortunately, the pooling coolant will eventually eat tiny holes through the water pump’s metal. Advantage Auto Service advises that this is just one sign that your water pump is going bad. We are going to list the other signs below so you know what to look for. Replacing a faulty water pump as soon as possible ensures you don’t end up with damage to your automobile’s engine.
Leaking Engine Coolant
Oftentimes, what starts as the pooling discussed above ends up as an engine coolant leak on your garage floor. You will end up with spots or puddles of coolant underneath the front portion of your engine. The water pump is located in the front. Unfortunately, this leak will reduce the coolant levels in the engine and you will have problems with your engine overheating. More on that below. It’s important to have coolant leaks addressed right away so the engine always has enough coolant.
Uncirculated Coolant
The thermostat keeps track of your engine’s temperature and releases coolant when it needs it. The water pump is what circulates the coolant through the engine. Think of it as the heart of the cooling system. If the water pump is malfunctioning, it may be unable to circulate coolant through the engine or the circulation may be poor. This, too, will cause problems with your engine’s temperature.
Growling or Whining Noises
Another thing that can affect the water pump is problems with its internal mechanisms. Consequently, if they are worn, you may hear growling or grinding sounds coming from the engine. Unfortunately, the water pump isn’t the only automotive part that makes this sound when it goes bad. The alternator and fuel pump can also make these noises. Another sound you might hear is whining noises if the accessory belt that powers the water pump is too loose.
Overheating Engine
Finally, as we mentioned above, a faulty water pump will make your engine overheat. The reason why could be attributed to all of the things we have discussed previously. Your engine coolant may be too low because the water pump is leaking. The engine may not be getting any coolant because the water pump isn’t circulating it. Part of the pump’s circulation problems could be attributed to worn internal mechanisms or a faulty accessory belt.
Call Advantage Auto Service in Marietta, GA, right away if you suspect you need to have your water pump replaced. We’d be happy to inspect it and do just that if it needs it.