What are the causes of car water pump failure?
2 Answers
Car water pump failure causes: 1. Coolant leakage caused by aging water pump seals; 2. Over-tightened engine serpentine belt leading to premature wear; 3. Exceeding service life without replacement; 4. Bent pump shaft, worn shaft neck, or damaged threaded end; 5. Broken impeller blades or worn shaft bore; 6. Wear degree of water seals and bakelite washers; 7. Poor pump performance causing circulation issues that generate high temperatures, leading to leaks or broken blades; 8. Long-term antifreeze neglect causing internal corrosion that ultimately damages the pump.
The water pump broke down, and I've experienced this myself. Generally, cars that have been driven for seven or eight years are prone to this issue, mainly because the bearings inside wear out and need replacement. If you notice that the radiator temperature is consistently higher than usual and there's a squeaky noise while driving, it's likely that the water pump bearings are failing. Another common cause is not replacing the coolant on time, leading to scale buildup that blocks the impeller. If the impeller can't rotate, it will damage the shaft. Winter is especially critical because frozen coolant can crack the water pump housing. When I last replaced my water pump, the mechanic mentioned that an overly tight timing belt can also accelerate bearing wear, so adjusting the belt tension is particularly important.
