Your Guide to Water Pump Replacement and Repair
When your car’s water pump works as intended, you don’t have to give it a second thought. It simply circulates coolant through your engine and the rest of the cooling system without fail. If something goes wrong with the pump, your engine is at serious risk of overheating and suffering catastrophic damage. Thankfully, your auto repair shop can help you avoid that nightmare scenario with timely water pump replacement and repair services. Here’s what you need to know.
How a Car Water Pump Works
Your car’s water pump is likely mounted to the front of its motor, with a drive pulley attached to the hub. The serpentine or other accessory belt spins the pulley, keeping the water pump’s impeller spinning rapidly.
The impeller continually pushes the coolant through the system to absorb heat from the engine. The coolant circulates through the radiator to cool down, then passes by the water pump again as it continues through the cooling cycle. All the while, the coolant actively lubricates the water pump impeller to keep it moving freely with every turn.
This process keeps your engine from overheating, just as long as your car has fresh coolant at the appropriate level. If the water pump jams or otherwise fails, coolant stops circulating, causing temperatures to rise quickly.
When to Replace the Water Pump
Water pump failure happens suddenly, but there are usually warning signs leading up to that fateful moment, such as:
- Higher than usual engine operating temperatures
- Loud whirring noises coming from the engine bay while idling
- A significant amount of coolant coming out of the weep hole on the water pump
You might also notice that your car has a coolant leak, causing green or orange fluid to leak all over your driveway. Or you may just detect the telltale maple syrup-like scent of coolant leaking out of the system.
All these are signs that your cooling system needs a prompt inspection by your trusted North Liberty IA auto repair technician. Although the problem might not link back to your water pump, it could be on its way out.
Water Pump Replacement as Preventative Maintenance
Replacing your water pump during preventative maintenance visits is a great way to reduce the chance of it failing. Many cars need this part replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. The exact service interval for your car depends on its year, make, and model.
You can work with your local service advisor to determine the ideal car water pump replacement interval. They’ll review the recommended service intervals from the carmaker and compare them to your vehicle’s repair history. If your water pump needs replacement soon, you can set up a visit for that service at your convenience.
At that North Liberty IA auto repair visit, your tech will perform a digital vehicle inspection and verify that your pump should get replaced at that time. Then, they’ll complete the replacement process using proven practices and the highest quality parts and fluids.
Need Water Pump Replacement Services? We Can Help
If you suspect that your car could use water pump replacement services, it’s time to call our team at Quality Car Care. We’re always available at (319) 626-2500, ready to help you find a great time to visit our shop. When you give us a call, we’ll help you set up your visit and then direct you to our shop located at 900 Hwy 965 NE #11 North Liberty, Iowa, 52317. We look forward to helping you care for your car, so please give us a call today.
