Your vehicle’s cooling system relies on the water pump to circulate the coolant through the engine. The average lifespan of a water pump is anywhere from 60,000 miles to 90,000 miles. If you take excellent care of your car, truck, or utility vehicle, your water pump may last longer than this. Automobile Diagnostics is going to list the signs of a malfunctioning water pump below so you know what to look for. These signs are an indication that you need to have your water pump replaced.
Poor Coolant Circulation
Again, the water pump is responsible for circulating coolant through the engine. If it starts to malfunction, it may be unable to circulate the coolant and, consequently, your engine will overheat. We can test your water pump to see if it is circulating the coolant through the engine or if it has failed and you have no coolant in the engine.
Puddles of Coolant on the Garage Floor
An old water pump can start to leak engine coolant all over your garage floor. The water pump is located in the front of the engine, so if you see coolant in this area underneath your automobile, you may have a leaking water pump that needs to be replaced. It’s not uncommon for an older pump to spring a leak.
Coolant Gelling Around the Water Pump
The problem is the leak may not be so noticeable that you have puddles of coolant on your garage floor. Rather, the water pump can spring a small leak that will cause the coolant to gel around the water pump. If you take a look at your water pump, you will see gunk all around it. This is the coolant leaking out of the water pump and a sign that your water pump needs to be replaced.
Whining Noises That Increase With Acceleration
The water pump is powered by your vehicle’s accessory belt. If the accessory belt is too loose, you will hear whining noises that increase as you pick up speed. This is just one sign that you have a faulty water pump. Another sign is grinding or growling noises coming from the engine that could be being made by the water pump’s internal mechanisms.
Engine That Overheats All the Time
Finally, if your water pump is malfunctioning, your engine will overheat all the time. There is no way around this. It’s possible that the engine is overheating because it doesn’t have coolant circulating through it, or the engine could be overheating because the coolant levels are low due to a water pump leak.
Automobile Diagnostics in Columbus, IN, would be happy to inspect your water pump if you suspect it is going bad. Call us today and we will schedule a service appointment for you.
