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Water pumps are an essential part of every vehicle. They move and control the flowing coolant throughout the vehicle to keep it from overheating and freezing. Coolant is a mix of water and anti-freeze. The way it generally works is that the water pump channels the coolant into the engine block. The coolant gives off heat as it’s being channelled. When it gets overheated, it could change the shape of the cylinders and lead to a very expensive breakdown in the engine.

  1. Leaks at the Front Center of Your Car

Water pumps contain multiple seals and gaskets that keep the coolant in. However, they wear down over time. When they do, they cause the coolant to leak under the front of the car. It’s typically red or green in colour.

  1. Whining or Buzzing Sounds

This is typically caused by the belt loosening. The water belt connects from the water pump to the crankshaft of the engine. The loosening is usually caused by a loosed pulley or old and worn out bearings. So if you notice either of those noises, you are advised to contact a nearby mechanic as soon as possible. It can save you a lot of money on replacements.

  1. Your Odometer Indicates that Your Engine is Overheating

When the coolant leaks, it can cause further damage, such as worn gaskets, burned pistons or cracked cylinders, it can’t circulate properly. As a result, it often overheats the engine. This can result in the engine needing to be replaced. As a result, if the arrow on your odometer is consistently showing that your car is overheating-that is, if it’s consistently on the red-contact your mechanic without delay!

  1. Rust or Corrosion of the Water Pump

If your pump has a gradual leak, you may not notice it at first. However, if you get your oil changed on a regular basis, your mechanic will likely catch it before you do. Unless working on cars and other vehicles is your personal hobby or something.

However, gradual leaks build up all sorts of minerals around the pump. It can result in rust and a defective pressure cap letting in much more air than it should. It can also result in small holes in the cavitation.

Be warned, this can result from using the wrong coolant for your vehicle. So whenever you buy or get another vehicle, always check about the coolant brand with the dealer or the person that you buy or lease the vehicle from. If you do happen to notice any of the above, you are strongly advised to contact your mechanic immediately.

  1. Your Vehicle is Steaming

Steam is an obvious sign of an overheated engine. The engine maintains its temperature when the coolant is properly circulating. If you ever notice any steam, pull over to a safe area immediately, contact a tow service and/or your mechanic. Even if you won’t be able to get to your mechanic the next day, you should have a tow truck tow it to your home and then again to the mechanic.

It’s never a good idea to drive your vehicle when it’s steaming. It could shut down on you in the middle of the road or worse. Remember, anything is less expensive than having to replace your engine entirely.

  1. Catastrophic Failure

Fortunately, this is rare. This includes things like the pump impeller falling off of the shaft, chipping pump blades, etc. This often causes a partial or complete coolant loss, which causes a rapid temperature rise. As a result, your vehicle’s odometer would likely move to the red. It is also often followed by an engine noise or a loose belt.

  1. Failed Shaft Seal

When the shaft seal leaks, you need to get your water pumps checked for cracks. You will probably have to replace the seal if not the pump altogether. This is most likely due to significant amounts of stress to your vehicle’s heating and cooling. It eventually causes wear on the seal.

How Much Does a Water Pump Replacement Cost?

Comparatively speaking, water pump replacements are inexpensive. With comprehensive car insurance, it’s even cheaper. However, if you’re planning to replace the pump yourself, you can get your vehicle’s name brand for as little as $35 if you shop online.

The project tends to be very time-consuming as the water pump is located around a lot of other components that have to be removed first. That includes the belt. As a result, expect a two to three-hour wait at your mechanic’s. If you’re doing it yourself, expect to take up to three hours working on your vehicle.

Do I Need to Replace My Water Pump at a Certain Mileage?

Technically, it’s recommended for every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, but, no you don’t. It’s also recommended if you have to have the belt replaced. Many people, however, never have to.