(Updated on July 28, 2022)
Every vehicle has a cooling system for its engine. The water pump is one of the main components of this cooling system. Its function is to keep coolant fluids flowing into the engine from the radiator.
As long as the water pump continues to function as normal, the coolant will continue to flow as it should and the engine will stay cool. But if there is a problem with the water pump which impairs its ability to keep the coolant flowing, then it could mean big trouble for the engine.
Bad Water Pump Symptoms
The water pump of your vehicle should have a long lifespan, no matter if you have a car or truck. However, that doesn’t mean the water pump can’t get worn out after a while. When it does get worn out, you will notice some obvious symptoms that will arise.
These symptoms should not be ignored because if you don’t get the water pump replaced soon, then it could permanently damage the vital components of your vehicle’s engine. Replacing a faulty water pump is a lot cheaper than repairing catastrophic engine damage so take this seriously.
Below are the top 4 symptoms of a bad water pump.
1) Overheated Engine
Since the water pump is what sends the coolant into the engine to keep it cool, the engine is obviously going to overheat if the water pump ever fails to do its job properly.
The temperature gauge on your dashboard should indicate the engine is getting overheated. At this point, you need to check your water pump and the other components of the cooling system.
2) Leaky Coolant
There are numerous seals and gaskets of the water pump which are responsible for securing the coolant fluid inside of the pump. If these seals or gaskets were to crack, break, or simply get worn out, then it wouldn’t be able to secure the coolant inside the pump.
Instead, there would be coolant leaking out of the pump and going all over the ground. You should see the coolant on the ground underneath the middle of the car and near the front of the car. This is definitely a problem that you’ll want to fix fast.
3) Radiator Steaming
If you’re driving your vehicle and there is steam rising out of the hood, then this is a clear indication that your engine is overheated. It should only get to this point if you’ve ignored the previous warning signs of an overheated engine, like the temperature gauge or leaky coolant.
If you don’t get your vehicle to a mechanic right away in this situation, your engine could malfunction at any moment. It would be better to have your vehicle towed to the mechanic, even if it still drives. You don’t want to take any chances.
4) Whining Noises
The assembly of your water pump has bearings which are essential in sustaining its functionality. If these bearings were to stop working properly, there would be a loose belt in the assembly.
A loose belt will generate a whining noise or buzz as the pump tries to circulate the coolant. You should notice the sound coming from the front of your vehicle.
Water Pump Replacement Cost
If you have a bad water pump and you need to get it replaced, you’ll be looking to spend anywhere from $250 to $850. The parts cost will be somewhere from $100 to $450, while the labor costs will be from $150 to $420.
In addition, there will be extra fees and taxes charged on top of that. The best way to save money on the replacement cost is to find a good local independent repair shop in your area which charges a low hourly rate for labor.
