Auto Solutions in Orlando advises that if your water pump fails, which can happen after 10 years, you may end up damaging your engine if you continue to drive it when it is overheating. The water pump is the part in the cooling system that pushes the coolant throughout the engine. Once it goes bad, the engine may be starved for coolant and run too hot constantly. Let’s talk more about this below.
Rust on the Water Pump
If you drive an older automobile, pop the hood and inspect the water pump. Make sure that the pump is free of corrosion. If the pump does have rust on it, it is leaking coolant slowly onto itself. When this happens, the coolant pools around the pump and corrodes it. Naturally, the corrosion is going to start to eat away at the metal out of which the water pump is made.
Coolant Leaking Out of the Pump
Eventually, you may end up with a larger coolant leak that will result in spots or puddles on the garage floor. When this happens, the engine is definitely being starved of coolant because there isn’t enough coolant in the system to circulate through the engine. You want to make certain that you avoid driving your automobile if the coolant level is too low.
Reduction in Coolant Circulation
Adding coolant to the cooling system is a temporary fix because the coolant will continue to leak out of the system until you get the water pump replaced. Another sign that you need to have the water pump replaced is a reduction in the circulation of the coolant throughout the engine. This points to a problem with the water pump’s ability to push the coolant through the engine.
Growling From the Front of the Engine
Some water pumps make noise as they go bad. The sound mimics that of growling or grinding. You will hear the noise coming from the front of the engine because this is where the water pump is located. Bring your vehicle to our shop right away if the engine is making strange sounds.
An Engine That Overheats Constantly
Finally, your engine is going to overheat if the water pump has failed. It may overheat because of low coolant levels or it may overheat because the water pump is unable to push the coolant into the engine. No matter what, stop driving your automobile if the engine is overheating.
Auto Solutions in Orlando, FL, can help, so call us today to set up a service visit for a water pump inspection.
