A water pump is responsible for cooling your vehicle’s engine. A simple mechanism based on suction; a pump’s main purpose is to circulate coolant from the radiator to your vehicle’s engine block to prevent overheating. Powered by a timing belt or chain; your pump uses velocity to create a vacuum. This increased velocity pushes the water through the pump towards the outlet. The pump draws in cooled fluid from the radiator and circulates that cooled fluid around your engine.
Why is it important to replace your failing pump?
There are very few things in your car more important than your water pump and water pump timing belt. Your engine simply will not function without these components. Water pumps ensure your engine remains at a constant temperature, no matter what the weather conditions are. To put it in anatomical words, your engine’s water pump acts as the heart of your engine, and circulates the blood that keeps it alive, or temperature regulated. If your pump is damaged, your car has heart failure. If your pump completely fails, your car has gone into cardiac arrest and is dying right in front of you. At this point, your car needs a heart transplant to survive. Without a healthy pump, your engine will overheat. It is also important to note that you should change your timing belt along with your pump as these engine parts must work together to function
Signs your Water Pump Should Be Replaced
- Your engine is frequently overheating
- You hear whirring noises
- Your pump looks corroded
- You notice your engine is leaking coolant
What are the technical specifications of a water pump?
There are some important things to note before choosing a pump. First, check to see if a Fan Clutch is included. A worn-out pump can damage a fan clutch, just as a faulty fan clutch can damage a new pump. These two pieces are connected; therefore, they should be replaced at the same time.
Take note of the hub height and hub hole thread diameter. “Hub height” is an industry term, meaning the measure of a water pump’s height. This is critical because if you do not have the correct height, it will not align correctly in relation to your other engine components. The same logic applies to measurements like the hub hole thread diameter.
Be sure to choose the right Impeller material for your specific pump type. Impellers can be made of metal, plastic, or steel. Your choice will depend on what the OE part had from the manufacturer.
You will also want to look at the Impeller Vane Quantity. This matters because it determines the power of your pump. Impeller “vanes” refer to the number of rotating blades inside the water pump, converting mechanical energy into output power.
Some water pumps do not include back housing, however, Enginetech offers several pumps that do! This is important because housing protects the inside of the pump, helping to prevent leakage and retain pressure.
Be sure to also check the Mounting Hole quantity and the outlet quantity, does it match the old pump?
Check to see if a Pulley is included. This matters because you need the same height of pulley as in the old pump you are replacing. If the belt starts rubbing against the pulley because of a height difference, it will become frayed.
Lastly, check the water pump drive type – make sure it is the right type for your engine!
How do you test a water pump?
A good way to test your pump is to turn on your heater. If it gets hot, then the pump circulation is functional. If the heater does not get hot, that is a sign that the pump needs replacement. Remember, a leaking and corroded water pump should always be replaced.
Another tell-tale sign is sound. Worn out pump bearings, or a loose pulley, can cause a whirring noise. Replace the water pump if it is making this noise.
Finally, if you’re still in doubt, have it tested by a professional!
How Does this impact your daily life?
If you notice any of the above signs, you should replace your pump immediately. Failing to quickly replace a problematic pump can cause considerable damage to your engine. It is recommended to replace your engine’s pump and timing belt every 60,000 miles, per most manufacturers’ recommendations. It is important not to drive if you suspect your pump is failing!
Enginetech now has water pumps and water pump timing kits in stock! Back by popular demand, our pumps and related products can be purchased at www.enginetechcatalog.com. Our on-site engineers assess our pumps for quality and each pump is individually tested for leakage by the manufacturer. We offer a 36-month warranty, or 30,000 miles, on our pumps. If you have a question about installation, our product and FAQ videos can help! If you do not have a wholesale account with Enginetech Inc., you can find our parts and kits for sale at many of your local auto parts retailers.
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