If you have ever wondered how long the factory water pump will last in your automobile, McCurley’s Shell advises that the approximate lifespan is 10 years. In terms of mileage, the pump lasts about 100,000 miles. If you are having any of the problems listed below, it’s possible that it’s time to replace the water pump. Don’t worry. This is a relatively easy fix that we can do at our shop.
Rusted/Corroded Water Pump
The water pump can develop a slow leak once it gets older. Unfortunately, this leak corrodes the water pump and rusts it. When this happens, the rust will start to eat through the metal out of which the water pump is made. Unfortunately, this takes a minor leak and turns it into a major one. Naturally, this leak can cause your vehicle to overheat because there isn’t enough: in the engine.
Leaking Engine Coolant
As such, it’s an excellent idea to replace the corroded water pump before the more severe leak develops. If you don’t know that the pump is corroded, you will eventually end up with coolant leaking onto your garage floor. This reduces the level of coolant in the engine. This is what makes the engine overheat. It’s important that you avoid driving your vehicle when the engine is too hot.
Poor Coolant Circulation
Another thing that can cause the engine to overheat is reduced circulation of the coolant that draws the heat away from the engine. As you probably already know, this is what the water pump does; it circulates the coolant. If the water pump is malfunctioning or no longer has the ability to push the coolant throughout the engine, the engine is going to overheat all the time.
Growling or Grinding Noises
The water pump is located in the front of the engine, so if you hear strange noises coming from that area, the water pump may be making them. Generally, as the water pump ages, it starts to wear out internally. Consequently, this will make the water pump grind or growl when it is in operation.
Constant Overheating
Finally, as we have discussed above, if the water pump is leaking or not functioning in a normal capacity, your automobile’s engine is going to overheat every time you drive the vehicle. If you continue to operate the automobile with a hot engine, you could crack the engine block.
McCurley’s Shell in Atlanta, GA, is here to help, so bring us up today to schedule a service appointment for a water pump inspection.