If you drive an older car, truck, or C/SUV, there will come a time when you will need to have a new water pump installed into the cooling system. The average lifespan of the factory water pump is around 100,000 miles. Unfortunately, if you drive a high-mileage vehicle, you may start to experience one or more of the problems listed below. JA Motors advises that these five problems are signs that your car needs a new water pump.
1. Corrosion on the Pump
The water pump is going bad if there is corrosion on the pump housing. This is the metal housing around the pump. Corrosion is a sign that the pump has a slow leak that isn’t bad enough to leave coolant spots on the garage floor. This being said, the coolant is puddling around the pump and starting to eat through the metal housing. Eventually, you will end up with a much larger coolant leak.
2. Leaking Engine Coolant
This larger coolant leak will leave spots or puddles of coolant on the garage floor. It’s important to avoid driving your automobile if it is leaking coolant onto the garage floor. The leak reduces the level of coolant in the cooling system. Low coolant levels will overheat your engine. It’s best to err on the side of caution and have your vehicle towed to our shop if it is leaking engine coolant.
3. Problems With the Coolant Circulation
The water pump takes the coolant that the thermostat releases and circulates it through the engine. This allows the coolant to draw the heat away from the engine to keep the temperature below 220 degrees Fahrenheit. If there is poor coolant circulation in the engine, the water pump is malfunctioning. It’s just like poor blood circulation for people who have bad hearts.
4. Strange Growling Noises in the Engine
The water pump may also protest if it is malfunctioning. You may hear strange growling noises coming from the engine. The water pump is making these noises. If you hear squealing sounds coming from the engine, it’s possible that there is a problem with your vehicle’s accessory belt. This belt powers the water pump, and it can directly affect its performance.
5. An Engine That Overheats Constantly
Finally, as you can imagine, a faulty water pump will cause your car’s engine to overheat every time you drive it. This is a sign that the water pump is unable to circulate coolant through the engine or that a coolant leak has depleted the coolant levels in the engine.
Call JA Motors in Peachtree City, GA, at the first sign of water pump trouble. We can replace the water pump if it needs it.