trash pump 3 inch petrol

Common Questions Consumers Have About Their Water Pump

Why Is My Water Pump Constantly Running?

The water pump constantly runs to circulate coolant through your car’s cooling system. This circulation is necessary to keep your engine at a normal operating temperature. If the water pump stopped running, the coolant wouldn’t circulate effectively, causing the car to overheat.

Can My Water Pump Leak Be Fixed?

If your water pump leaks, it’s time for a new water pump. Any leak is a sign the water pump could be close to complete failure. It’s better to replace it before it fails completely and causes more components to fail along with it. Water pump leaks can also (sometimes) be attributed to gasket failure, so be sure you replace the gasket along with the pump – reusing the gasket is not recommended.

Why Does My Car Need A Water Pump?

A water pump is vital to a car engine’s operation. It circulates coolant through the engine block, cylinder head, hoses, and radiator to maintain an optimum operating temperature. Without a water pump, these components would overheat and get damaged.

Is The Puddle Of Water Under My Car From My Water Pump?

If you see water under your car, either at the back of the engine compartment or behind the front wheels, it’s probably condensation from the air conditioning system. That is a normal part of air conditioning and is nothing to worry about.

However, if you see a bright yellow/green liquid leaking under your car, that’s coolant. It could leak from your water pump, radiator, or another source. When this happens, it is important to get checked out as soon as possible.

How Do I Know If My Water Pump Is Bad?

The most common signs of a bad or failing water pump include:

• Overheating due to improper circulation.
• A noticeable coolant leak under the engine near where the water pump is located, or coolant seeping out around the water pump housing.
• Coolant “gunk” buildup on the outside of the water pump.
• A grinding or growling noise from the water pump when the engine is running.
• Steam coming out of the radiator or around the water pump.

Is My Water Pump Mechanical Or Electric?

The answer depends on your vehicle. Up until recently, just about every vehicle used a mechanical water pump powered by a shaft or pulley. The engine would turn that shaft or pulley, causing the water pump’s impeller to turn and circulate coolant.

More recently, some vehicles have started using electric water pumps. These pumps use an electric motor that turns the impeller to circulate coolant.