Frequently Asked Questions
The car's engine operates on the principle of combustion, specifically by burning a gas/air mixture at very high temperatures. The water pump is important for the engine and cooling system. It helps circulate coolant and stops the car engine from getting too hot, which could harm non-metal parts like gaskets.
Occasionally, the combustion engine can reach high temperatures, which can be harmful to other mechanical parts of the vehicle. Therefore, the designers have designed the cooling system and water pump to keep the engine at the right temperature. By both regulating and accelerating the circulation of coolant in the system, it helps keep the engine at optimum operating temperature (75-95°C).
If you're going to change your car's water pump, you need to be rigorous at every stage. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Start by draining the cooling system. Wait until the engine is cold.
2. Once this is done, you can remove the accessory belt. If, on the other hand, the water pump is driven by the timing belt, you'll need to remove the entire timing kit.
3. Remove the water pump.
4. Clean the sealing surface
5. Install the new water pump with its new gasket, ensuring that the model matches the old one.
6. Reinstall and tension the accessory belt.
7. Fill the coolant tank and bleed the cooling circuit.
The price of a water pump replacement depends on a number of factors. You need to take into account your vehicle's model, engine and year of production. A specialized workshop generally estimates the time required to change a water pump at a good three hours.
However, if you do the work yourself, you'll only have to pay for the new water pump. On average, this will cost between $60 and $400, including labour. If you need to change your entire distribution kit, you'll generally be looking at around $600.
The water pump is an important part of the vehicle. Without it, the engine's cooling system would malfunction and eventually fail. Depending on the vehicle, it's driven by a timing belt or accessory belt. If this is faulty, it can disengage or break.
The symptoms that can alert you to a faulty object are numerous and notable.
Signal 1: If your temperature warning light is on your dashboard.
Signal 2: You also notice a coolant leak near or under the vehicle.
Signal 3: Finally, you hear abnormal noises and notice that the radiator is smoking.
The visual signs that you need to replace it are :
When it leaks.
When it seizes up.
Erosion of the propeller blades.
Caution: a broken accessory belt can interrupt pump operation, resulting in engine overheating. In this case, simply replace the accessory belt.
If you have any doubts about the condition of your pump, there are several ways to test its condition and operation.
Check with your eyes: by opening your hood and locating the pump, you can check that it isn't damaged or that the seal is still in good condition. If traces of liquid are present on the pump, you may suspect a coolant leak. You can take this opportunity to check the coolant level and top it up if necessary.
Check with your ears: when your engine is running, listen for any unusual noises.
Check the pressure: insert a pressure test kit into the cooling circuit. Perform a test at one bar. Above all, don't exceed 1.5 bar, as this could damage a circuit component.
