The title of this blog post is true: A rusted water pump is a faulty water pump because it has a minor league. John Ellis & Son advises that the corrosion on the outside of the pump housing is an indication that coolant is seeping out of the pump and puddling around it. If you have over 100,000 miles on your automobile, the water pump most likely needs to be replaced. Aside from a corroded pump, here are other signs that your water pump has gone bad and your car, truck, or C/SUV needs a new one.
Coolant Leaking in the Garage
Eventually, a minor leak that rusts the pump will turn into a major leak on your garage floor. Unfortunately, it’s never a good idea to drive an automobile that is leaking coolant. Doing so will overheat and damage the engine. More on that below. If you see spots or puddles on your garage floor that are the same color as your engine’s coolant, it’s possible that the water pump is leaking.
Poor Coolant Circulation
The water pump is responsible for pushing the coolant through the engine. It circulates it throughout so the coolant can draw heat away from the engine to prevent your vehicle from overheating. A dying water pump will struggle to circulate the coolant through the engine. In fact, if the pump dies completely, you may not have any coolant circulating through the engine. Naturally, this will make your engine overheat to extreme temperatures. Again, don’t drive your automobile if it is overheating.
Grinding or Growling Noises
The water pump may give you an audible sign that it is going bad. If you hear grinding or growling sounds coming from the engine, it’s possible that the water pump is making this noise. As it ages, its internal mechanisms will start to wear out. At some point, they may start grinding against each other and this is what makes the grinding or growling noises. As an aside, the water pump is attached to the accessory belt. If the belt is too loose, it may make whining noises.
Constant Overheating
Finally, as we have mentioned above, problems with the water pump can make your engine overheat all the time. It is important that you do not drive your automobile if the engine overheats. Doing so can cause severe damage such as cracking the head gasket or engine block.
John Ellis & Son in Sacramento, CA, can take a look at the water pump if you are experiencing any of the problems listed above. Give us a call today.
