The cooling water pump is the heart of the cooling system. It circulates the coolant through the radiator, engine and heater core. These days, certain vehicles often have more than one water pump, and the auxiliary pumps usually work by electric motors and are managed by a computer.
The coolant picks up the heat by flowing around the cylinders which are generated in the engine. It also runs through passages in the cylinder head around the very hot combustion chambers. Since an engine works best within a certain temperature range, the thermostat stays closed to prevent the coolant from flowing out of the engine to the radiator until the coolant has reached a minimum temperature.
Once the thermostat opens, the coolant passes to the radiator, where it can give up its warmth/heat to the atmosphere. The radiator depends on air flowing through it to help it transfer the warmth/heat to the atmosphere. The coolant then comes back to the engine, and the process begins again.
Things that can go wrong with your water pump
Usually, the cooling water pump itself is relatively inexpensive, but many times numerous other components must be removed in order to be able to change one. This, of course, adds cost and time to the repair.
When a water pump fails, it is because of a leak caused by a worn bearing. The bearing wears out, allowing the shaft to wobble, which harms the precision seal, resulting in leakage. A cooling water pump bearing can also fail due to an absence of, or loss of lubrication. This can particularly be an issue in engines where the cooling water pump is driven by the timing belt. Water pump seizure can cause the timing belt to suddenly break, and on numerous engines, this can cause many internal engine damage, such as broken pistons and bent valves.
Apart from inside the cooling water pump, called the impeller, also sometimes suffers or fails corrosion. This can prevent the pump from flowing the engine coolant properly, which can lead to an engine overheating condition or poor heater output inside the vehicle.
Important components for the cooling system:
Radiator cap
Radiator
Thermostat
Water pump
Hoses
The water pump is like the heart of your cooling system, which circulates the fluid throughout your late model vehicle. It is a small pump that’s driven by the engine; usually by a belt, but sometimes by a gear or chain. The water pump performs when the engine is running.
Some of the water pumps are driven off the timing belt. They may be under a plastic cover so that you can’t see the water pump. In this case, look for coolant on the driveway. If you see any, have your auto technician check it out. It is a good idea to change your water pump at the same time if it is one of those that’s driven off the timing belt.
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