6 Signs of a Bad Water Pump (Function, Location)

A vehicle’s engine runs at a specific temperature. You must maintain this temperature. Otherwise, your engine may overheat and cause damage.

It is crucial to have your water pump replaced before it fails completely. But how can you tell if it's about to fail? Let’s begin with a quick look at the signs to look for.

Six Bad Water Pump Signs

Coolant leakage underneath your vehicle and overheated engines are the most obvious signs of a bad pump.

While these are just a quick look at the signs, it’s a good start. This is a detailed listing of some of the signs that indicate a problem with your water pump.

Leakage of coolant

If the water pump is damaged, the seals around the axle and any other gaskets may be broken. Gaskets are used to ensure that coolant is sealed properly and water flows uninterrupted. These gaskets may become worn and ineffective over time. The coolant can leak from the underside of the pump. A puddle below the car's front is a sign that your water pump has failed. You need to contact a professional.

Squealing Noise

If the water pump is damaged, coolant may leach into its bearings. This will cause the bearings to dry out and create a clicking sound when the engine runs. If you hear a squealing noise from the water pump you should replace the water pump as fast as possible, as it may be fatal to your engine to keep driving – especially if the water pump is driven by the timing belt.

Water Pump’s Axle lose

The water pump turns and cools down by turning the serpentine belt or timing belt. A worn water pump axle can cause loose belts. You will need to replace the entire water pump if this occurs. To feel if the water pump’s axle is loose, you have to remove the serpentine or timing belt. You should replace the axle as soon as you detect any play.

Overheating Engine

The water pump’s primary job is to pump around coolant in the system to cool the engine. You will notice the temperature gauge rise on your dashboard if there is a problem with the water pump. It could be due to a thermostat problem or short circuiting, and you need to have it looked at by a qualified mechanic. You could end up with extensive damage to your head gasket, cylinders and pistons that can decrease the engine's life expectancy.

Radiator: White Smoke

White smoke from your radiator is a sign that the water pump has failed. If your water pump isn't working properly, the steam from the radiator can be caused by an engine that is too hot. It is safer to stop driving when you encounter this issue. Wait for your engine to cool off before calling your mechanic.

Instabile Engine Temperature

Intermittent problems can occur with your water pump. This could be because the impeller may have become loose from the axle. It can cause your car to heat up occasionally and then work normally for a few weeks. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to water pumps, though, so replace it if you think it’s bad.

What's a water pump?

A water pump is an essential part of engine health. The engine coolant level is controlled by the pump. This pump supplies coolant from the radiator continuously to the engine so it can work efficiently.

If the water pump stops working, as they often do, then the engine is unable to heat up and get enough coolant. That’s just how water-cooled engines work: if there is no water, the engine cannot survive.

It is crucial to have a functioning water pump. It can fail, causing symptoms that will cause you to call a mechanic.

Placement of the water pump

Because it is powered from one, the water pump is located at the timing belt, serpentine belt, or timing chains. The water pump is installed in front of your engine.

It may not be easy to spot the timing belt that powers the water pump if it is hidden. To see the timing belt, you may have to lift a lot more covers.

Begin by looking for the water pump pulley near the serpentine belt. If you can’t find the water pump pulley there is a big risk that the timing belt powers it.

See also: Water Pump Repair Cost

Questions about water pumps