Yes, generally, the water pump will last about 100,000 miles before it needs to be replaced. Checkpoint Motors can replace your water pump if it has gone bad. We are going to discuss the signs of the faulty water pump below. If your car, truck, or utility vehicle is experiencing any of these problems, bring it to our shop so we can test the water pump and replace it if necessary.
Corroded/Rusty Water Pump
One way to assess the health of the water pump is to inspect it with the naked eye. The water pump housing should not have any corrosion or rust on it. If it does, this indicates that the water pump has developed a slow leak. Consequently, coolant is seeping out of the pump and pulling around the housing. This is what is causing the corrosion. A corroded pump needs to be replaced.
Leaking Engine Coolant
Eventually, the small leak will turn into a major one and you will end up with coolant on the garage floor. In this instance, it’s important to replace the water pump right away because the leaking coolant will cause the engine to overheat. More on this below. Please note that engine coolant can also leak out of the thermostat, the radiator, the radiator hoses, the overflow reservoir, and the seals or gaskets.
Inability to Circulate the Coolant
If coolant is not circulating through the engine, the water pump is to blame. The water pump is responsible for engine coolant circulation. If the pump is malfunctioning, the circulation may be poor. If the pump has died completely, you won’t have any coolant circulation in the engine. We can inspect your engine to see how well the coolant is circulating and replace the pump if it isn’t.
Grinding Noises in the Engine
Aside from the visual damage discussed above, the water pump may also give you an audible clue that it is going bad. If you hear grinding noises coming from the engine, they could be coming from the water pump. This is a sign that the internal mechanisms have worn out.
Constant Engine Overheating
Finally, and as you can imagine, your engine will overheat constantly if the water pump is having any of the problems discussed above. The engine needs a constant flow of coolant to keep the temperature under 220 degrees Fahrenheit. A faulty water pump will be unable to supply the engine with the coolant.
Call Checkpoint Motors in Oregon City, OR, today if you suspect that the water pump in your automobile has gone bad.
