Whether you drive a truck, car, or SUV, you can expect to get about 10 years or 100,000 miles out of the factory water pump. Do not worry. MotivWerks is the best auto shop in Chambersburg, and we can replace the water pump when it needs it. We are going to list below signs that you have a faulty water pump underneath the hood. Bring your vehicle to our shop at the first indication of trouble.
A Rusted Water Pump
If your vehicle is 10 years old or has 100,000 miles on the odometer, pop the hood and visually inspect the water pump. What you are looking for is corrosion or rust on the pump. The corrosion is a sign that the water pump is slowly leaking coolant all around it. Consequently, the corrosion will start to eat through the metal out of which the water pump is made. This will leave you with…
Leaking Engine Coolant
As you can imagine, if the corrosion has been feasting on the water pump’s metal, you will end up with a larger coolant leak that leaves coolant on the garage floor. Generally, you may only notice a slight temperature change with the slow leak. A larger leak is going to reduce the level of coolant in the engine and cause the temperature gauge needle to rise on the dashboard.
Reduced Circulation
Another thing that will increase the engine’s temperature is a reduction in the circulation of the coolant through the engine. This can happen if the water pump is malfunctioning. Unfortunately, you need plenty of coolant moving through the engine at the right pressure in order to keep the engine’s temperature below 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
Strange Engine Noises
Another sign that your water pump is going bad is strange noises coming from the engine. The water pump is at the front of the engine, so this is where you will hear the noises. In most cases, the water pump will start to grind or growl if it is going bad. If you hear squealing coming from the engine, the accessory belt to which the pump is attached is too loose.
Overheating Constantly
Finally, you don’t need us to tell you this but all of the above problems are going to cause the engine to overheat constantly. Unfortunately, your vehicle needs a functioning water pump in order for the engine temperature to remain normal.
Call MotivWerks in Chambersburg, PA, today to set up a service appointment for a new water pump for your vehicle.