Benton Road Auto Repair advises that the water pump installed when your vehicle was assembled will generally last 10 years or more. In terms of mileage, this means you will get 100,000 miles to 150,000 miles out of the pump. Below, we are going to list the signs that your water pump is going bad. It is crucial to have the pump replaced at the first indication of trouble to prevent engine damage.
Corroded Pump Housing
One of the first indications of trouble is corrosion all over the water pump housing. This is a sign that the water pump is leaking slowly. Rather than drip onto the garage floor, the coolant puddles around the pump and corrodes it. Unfortunately, as you know, rust loves metal. As such, it will start to munch on the water pump housing until it causes a larger coolant leak.
Engine Coolant Leaks
You will know that the water pump is leaking coolant because you will see the puddle or spots on the garage floor. As you can imagine, when the water pump is leaking this badly, you will end up with lower levels of coolant in the engine. Consequently, this will cause your engine to run at a higher temperature than normal.
Reduced Circulation
Another thing that can cause the engine to run hotter is reduced coolant circulation. This is what the water pump is responsible for; circulating the coolant. If the water pump is malfunctioning, it may be unable to push the coolant through the engine at its normal pressure. Consequently, you will see the temperature gauge needle rise on the dashboard.
Growling or Grinding
Usually, the water pump will start to grind or growl when it is wearing out. As an aside, the pump is attached to the accessory belt to help give it power. If your vehicle’s accessory belt is too loose, the belt itself may start to squeal or whine, especially when you first start your automobile.
Overheating Engine
Naturally, all of the above is going to cause your engine to overheat. In order for the engine to remain under 220 degrees Fahrenheit, it must have the right amount of coolant circulating through it at the right pressure. If this isn’t happening, the engine will overheat.
Benton Road Auto Repair in Bossier City, LA, would be happy to help, so give us a call today if you believe that your vehicle needs to have a new water pump installed.
