Water Pump Maintenance for All Seasons - aftermarketNews

Water Pump Maintenance for All Seasons

Water pump failure can happen at any time during the year. Depending on the season, your customer may see different symptoms, and not understand the root cause. We'll point out below a couple of symptoms that vary with the season, and some that stay the same all year round.

Sponsored by GMB North America, Inc.

Water pump failure can happen at any time during the year. Depending on the season, your customer may see different symptoms, and not understand the root cause. We’ll point out below a couple of symptoms that vary with the season, and some that stay the same all year round.

Common Symptoms of a Failing Water Pump

When not addressed in a timely fashion, a failing water pump can cause the engine to overheat and seize. It is usually a gradual process, but there are many tell-tale signs to look out for in order to catch the problem early on. Any time a customer brings in a car with the following symptoms, it’s highly recommended to check out the water pump.

Year-Round Symptoms

  • Low coolant level
  • A high-pitched whining or growling sound coming from the front of the engine
  • A coolant leak at the front of the car
  • Overheating

Hot Weather Symptom

  • The temperature gauge showing warmer than normal coolant temperature (but not yet overheating)

Cold Weather Symptom

  • Heater doesn’t produce much heat (due to low coolant)

To diagnose water pump failure:

  • Check for coolant leaks at the weep hole and gasket.
  • Listen to the water pump while it’s running.
  • Grab the pump pulley and check for bearing play.

What Causes a Water Pump to Fail?

Water pumps wear out over time, but the following things will speed up the process:

  • Bad/wrong coolant: Contaminated or incompatible coolant can cause corrosion inside the water pump
  • Worn/improperly installed belt: A belt that’s either misaligned or too tight can make the water pump seize.
  • Dry running: A water pump that’s running without coolant or low on coolant (due to a leakage) lacks the lubricant needed to keep the seals in working order. When seals overheat, they fail and cause even more coolant leakage.

Water Pump Preventative Maintenance

Water pump preventative maintenance sounds a little funny, doesn’t it? But it can be done. There are two important things you can do to prolong the life of a water pump:

  • Flush and fill the coolant on schedule: Coolant breaks down over time, and people sometimes add water to it. Both increase the chance of corrosion inside the pump.
  • Use the right coolant: Manufacturers use different materials for water pumps and engine gaskets. They specify coolant that won’t damage anything in their engines.

Why Use a Quality Replacement Water Pump?

A well-built water pump will be more reliable and reduce comebacks. A cheap water pump is bound to fail again, causing a comeback and a warranty issue. It’s in your shop’s and your customer’s best interests to install an aftermarket water pump that’s reliable and well built.

So what should you look for in a high-quality replacement water pump? Here are a few must-have features:

  • OE-quality
  • A design that matches OE coolant flow rate and pressure
  • Bearings produced in-house
  • High-quality materials
  • Tested for durability, leakage, and dimensional precision

This article was sponsored by GMB North America, Inc. For more information, please visit our website at www.gmb.net

You May Also Like

Digital Enablement Strategies for Parts Manufacturers

The digitization of the parts industry has ushered in a new era of opportunities and challenges. Manufacturers are now confronted with increased competition, the necessity to acquire new skills and technologies, and adapting to rapidly evolving consumer expectations. However, this transformation also offers significant opportunities, such as a wider customer reach, direct customer engagement, and

The digitization of the parts industry has ushered in a new era of opportunities and challenges. Manufacturers are now confronted with increased competition, the necessity to acquire new skills and technologies, and adapting to rapidly evolving consumer expectations.

However, this transformation also offers significant opportunities, such as a wider customer reach, direct customer engagement, and refined data analytics. Harnessing these aspects is key to thriving in today's market.

OE CV Axle Trends for Today’s More Demanding Drivetrains

Today’s vehicle drivetrain systems are far more complex and powerful than ever before. So, you want to make sure you choose a replacement axle that matches the original OE design attributes to ensure proper performance and durability. Avoid installing an inferior axle based on price only, that may not perform properly or worse yet, fail

Engineering For Excellence – MEYLE HD Solves Tesla Noisy Control Arm Issues

By Stefan Bachmann, Head of Steering & Suspension, MEYLE HD The effort that goes into creating one of the world’s most technologically advanced electric vehicles is staggering, and the engineers at Tesla who developed the Model 3 and the Model Y should be proud. However, they also should tip their caps to the engineering team

Understanding Intermediate Shafts: What are they… and what do they do?

Intermediate shafts, often referred to as “stub shafts” or “inner shafts” act as the link that couples the CV axle to the transaxle or differential. They allow for the removal and installation of CV axle assemblies without the need to disturb or replace the transaxle or differential oil seal. Use of an intermediate shaft to

Protecting Your Vehicle in the Winter

Depending on where you live, autumn is an idyllic time of year with bright colors and mild temperatures.  If there is one downside though, it means that winter is on its way, which means frigid temperatures, snow, ice and difficult road conditions. The lifespans of cars and trucks are increasing all the time, so protecting

Other Posts

What Causes Fuel Pumps to Fail?

Like most vehicle components, natural wear and tear is the unavoidable cause for parts replacement.  Fuel pumps are often out of sight and out of mind for most shop visitors. That’s because they are an as-needed repair and not typically a part of ongoing maintenance. Nevertheless, if you diagnose fuel pump failure, customers will want

THE ROAD TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES: PROTECTION, MANUFACTURING SHIFTS, AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

The automotive industry is evolving at a rapid pace, consistently under pressure to cater to customer preferences and determine how to deliver final products at a time when demand is high and inventory cannot keep up. After years of manufacturing shutdowns, limited numbers of employees, and delays up and down the supply chain, automotive manufacturers

Helping Customers Understand the Signs of Fuel Pump Failure

Fuel pump failures are never a one-size-fits-all diagnosis.  Different symptoms indicate different problems and often, the pump will still function—albeit erratically—as it fails. Explaining this to customers isn’t always easy, especially because many of them may not know that the fuel pump has more than one role. Shop owners and technicians can help customers understand

Updating Your Shop’s Approach to Vehicle Filtration 

Customers may wonder what the biggest threats are to their engines.  Heat is one for sure. But the other are tiny – often microscopic – particles. If these aren’t filtered thoroughly, they will accumulate inside the engine, which will increase friction, heat and lead to significant damage to internal engine components. In time, it will