What are the symptoms of a bad car water pump?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a bad car water pump include the following: 1. A damaged water pump will weaken or even stop the cooling circulation, leading to the coolant 'boiling over'. 2. Leaking coolant near the engine area can leave traces of coolant color on the water pump's vent holes, resulting in symptoms like high water temperature due to insufficient coolant. 3. Unusual noises from the water pump while the engine is running may be caused by internal debris or bearing wear. Additionally, check if there is a mechanical failure in the water pump itself. Common causes include: packing being too tight or the impeller being stuck by debris and clogged; the pump shaft, bearings, or wear rings being rusted; or the pump shaft being severely bent. Solutions: loosen the packing, clear the water inlet channel; disassemble the pump body to remove debris and rust; remove and straighten the pump shaft or replace it with a new one.
That time I was driving on a trip when suddenly I noticed the temperature gauge shooting up, accompanied by a sharp squealing noise under the hood. After pulling over, I found a puddle of green coolant leaking on the ground—later I learned the water pump had failed. This nearly caused my engine to overheat and seize. The mechanic said a seized pump or damaged bearing was the culprit, with symptoms also including loss of power during acceleration and steam emission. Continuing to drive could have led to catastrophic engine failure with expensive repairs. Checking the cooling system every six months and replacing aging components regularly can prevent such headaches.
