A car cannot safely operate without a water pump. A water pump maintains the necessary car temperature for a car to be functional through a series of operations.
How does a Water Pump work?
A water pump uses an impeller blade, also referred to as a rotor, which is the part of the pump that rotates to push the water out from the center of rotation. It moves through the engine block, which is the metal structure containing the cylinder, oil passages, cooling jacket, and crankcase which altogether transfers heat from friction to the atmosphere and engine coolant, then through the hoses and radiator, maintaining the proper temperature. For your car to submit to high-temperature conditions and run smoothly and cooly, a vehicle’s engine needs coolant to flow through the radiator and engine. The water pump perpetuates that rotation to consistently maintains an operative temperature. When there is an issue with the water pump, the temperature will not be maintained and your car can overheat.
The Dangers of Driving with a Bad Water Pump
A broken or inefficient water pump can hinder the flow of the coolant and lead to your vehicle overheating. The aftermath may include irreparable engine damage. Water pumps are not indestructible. Here are some indicators your water pump may need repairing or replacing:
- Under hood rust is visible on the surface of the pump
- Corrosion in the metal
- Audible whining noises from your front motor that becomes louder upon acceleration
- Steam from the front of the motor while moving or when braking
When Your Car Overheats
In short, overheating will destroy your car’s engine. No engine means no running car, hence why the coolant system must be maintained on all fronts. Every component of the system must be running properly.
As discussed, a failed water pump can hinder the efficiency of your vehicle’s coolant system. Other possibilities include the failings of the radiator fan motor, radiator fan relays, a failed thermostat, and low coolant.
Low coolant would be one of the most common reasons a car overheats. Coolant keeps your engine’s temperature cool. Possible reasons for low coolant may include an old hose or gasket. Another common reason a car may overheat includes a failed thermostat which opens and closes based on the engine’s temperature. If it is stuck closed, the engine will not get the flow of coolant. Similarly, if the radiator fan relay fails or the motor to the fan, the transfer of airflow is hindered and the radiator is not cooled.