Age is what makes a water pump go bad. University Auto Repair advises that if you drive an automobile that has 100,000 miles or more on the odometer, the water pump will go bad sooner rather than later. This mileage milestone equates to about 10 years’ worth of driving. We can replace your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s water pump once it has reached the end of its life. The following are signs that it has.
A Slow Leak
An old water pump will develop a slow leak that causes it to corrode. The reason for the corrosion is that the coolant pools around the pump and is constantly resting against the metal housing. Naturally, the liquid will start to rust the metal and the rust will eat through the metal. If you pop the hood and see that the water pump is corroded, head to our shop for a new pump because yours is leaking.
A Large Leak
Eventually, the water pump will develop a larger leak that leaves you with coolant on the garage floor. Unfortunately, as the coolant leaks out of the water pump, the level gets lower in the engine. Consequently, you may notice that your engine is running hotter every time that you drive your vehicle. It’s better to avoid driving your automobile until you have the leaking water pump replaced.
Poor Circulation
Another thing that happens with age is the water pump begins to struggle to circulate the coolant through the engine. This, too, will make your engine run hotter than normal because it is not getting enough coolant to reduce the operating temperature. In case you don’t know this, your engine’s temperature should never get any higher than 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grinding Noises
The water pump may also start to make grinding noises when it is going bad. This is an indication that the pump is wearing out. You will hear the noises in the front of your engine because this is where the pump is located. We can test the water pump to confirm it is making the noise.
Overheating Engine
Finally, your engine will overheat if the water pump is not doing its job. Simply put, the thermostat may release the coolant into the pump but the pump may not circulate it. The engine will also overheat if the pump leaks the coolant out of it.
University Auto Repair in Flagstaff, AZ, is here to help, so call us today if you would like us to inspect your water pump and replace it if necessary.
