i sludge pumps

3 Signs of a Bad Water Pump in Your Car

A car’s water pump moves coolant around the engine to keep it from overheating. The hot liquid then runs to the radiator to cool down, and hoses recirculate the fluid. Given the water pump’s vital importance, it’s crucial to know the symptoms when the part begins to fail.

1. Overheating

Overheating is an obvious symptom of a failing water pump. Drivers should make sure the needle on the engine temperature gauge doesn’t go into the red. A warning light should also illuminate to tell the driver the coolant is getting too hot. If your car is showing signs of overheating, you should stop immediately.

2. Odd Noises

In most vehicles, a belt connects the water pump to the engine’s crankshaft. This belt can deteriorate or become loose over time. The symptoms of a worn or loose belt can include a whining or squealing sound from under the hood.

If the belt breaks, other accessories like power steering would also fail because the same belt drives both systems.

When strange noises emanate from under the hood, have your vehicle inspected immediately.

3. Leaking Coolant

One telltale sign of a faulty water pump is a coolant leak toward the front of the vehicle. Leaks may originate from the water pump itself or the pump’s gasket.

However, coolant leaks can also originate from other parts of the cooling system. Even if there are just a few drops underneath your vehicle, ask a mechanic to figure out where they are coming from to avoid potentially costly repairs later.