A water pump is part of the cooling system that helps to control the temperature of your engine.
The combustion process, along with friction from all of the moving parts inside of an engine, produces a good deal of heat. While a certain amount of heat is necessary for proper engine function, too much can cause damage. Therefore, a mixture of water and engine coolant (also known as “antifreeze”) is circulated through passageways inside of the engine block. There, the coolant absorbs some of the heat before it is forced out of the engine and through a network of thin tubes inside the radiator. Air passing through the radiator allows the heat to dissipate into the environment before the coolant returns once again to the engine to pick up more heat.
The water pump is the device that makes the circulation of coolant possible. Inserted into the cooling system, the pump forces the fluid through all of the hoses, the radiator, the engine, and more. Even the heater inside the passenger compartment relies on the water pump as some of the heated coolant is diverted into the cabin and expelled through the heater core.
On most engines, the water pump is mounted to the outside of the engine block and is driven by the serpentine belt that runs around the water pump pulley. On many newer engines, though, the water pump is driven by the timing belt (or chain) inside the engine.
The water pump is a critical component in the cooling system for your engine. If the water pump stops working, so does the cooling system. Therefore, it is important to address the problem of a bad water pump as soon as possible. While the symptoms of a failing water pump mirror those of other components, such as a bad engine thermostat or leaking radiator, you can suspect the water pump if you notice one or more of the following signs:
The procedure for replacing a water pump depends on how difficult it might be to access the component. More than that, it depends on whether the pump is external and driven by the serpentine belt or internal and driven by the timing belt or timing chain. In the latter case, significant disassembly is necessary, including removal of the crankshaft pulley, timing cover(s), timing belt tensioner(s), and the timing belt itself. This service can be quite involved, which is why repair shops recommend replacing the water pump whenever the timing belt or chain is replaced as part of routine vehicle maintenance.
If, on the other hand, the water pump is mounted to the outside of your engine, the process is a bit simpler. The technician must first remove any covers and components blocking access to the serpentine belt and water pump. Some of the coolant in the cooling system might need to be drained off. The serpentine belt must be removed. The coolant hoses connected to the water pump are removed as well. Once the pump is unbolted from the engine block, the old pump is taken away, the mounting surface on the engine is cleaned of old sealant, new sealant is applied, and the new pump is installed. The mounting bolts are torqued to manufacturer’s specifications, and the serpentine belt is reinstalled.
Regardless of which type of water pump your engine features, any lost coolant must be replaced and the system must be bled of trapped air before your vehicle can be placed back into service.
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