What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Car Water Pump?
2 Answers
Car water pump failure symptoms are as follows: 1. A damaged water pump will weaken or even stop the cooling circulation, leading to coolant "boiling over" phenomenon. 2. Coolant leakage near the water pump area of the engine, with coolant-colored traces left on the water pump vent holes, resulting in symptoms like high water temperature due to coolant shortage. 3. Abnormal noises from the water pump during engine operation, which may be caused by internal foreign objects or bearing wear. Methods to determine if a car water pump is faulty: 1. High water temperature - after ruling out other causes, you can determine if it's a water pump issue. 2. Observe coolant flow in the radiator when accelerating - if the water flows when you press the throttle, it indicates the water pump is functioning properly. 3. Visually inspect the water pump for leaks and listen for any abnormal noises.
A few days ago, my car suddenly overheated into the red zone, which scared me into pulling over immediately. The dashboard showed the coolant temperature warning light, and upon opening the hood, I found coolant leaking with a puddle of green liquid on the ground. The engine made a continuous buzzing or rattling noise, especially noticeable during acceleration. The air conditioning also performed poorly, with the fan running loudly but producing insufficient cool air. If not repaired promptly, engine overheating can damage the cylinder block and even lead to engine failure, resulting in repair costs ranging from thousands to tens of thousands—totally not worth it. Now, I always ask the mechanic to check the water pump condition during every maintenance service.
