Keep your engine cool and safe with these water pump tips.
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Your vehicle's water pump is a crucial part of its engine, but it's often overlooked and may not be as well known as other vehicle components. This is likely in part because water pumps typically last a long time. Here's what you need to know about this stalwart engine component, from maintenance to repairs.
Most cars' cooling systems rely on the constant circulation of coolant — water mixed with antifreeze — through the water jackets in the engine block and then back through the radiator. There, the heat exchange with the air lowers the temperature of the fluid so it can go through the cycle once again. Your vehicle's water pump is responsible for keeping the coolant constantly moving throughout this entire process.
Most water pumps use a simple design in which an impeller (a fanlike set of blades) is attached to the engine, often by a belt, so that it spins when the motor is running. The impeller pulls coolant through an inlet, using centrifugal force to push the fluid through the closed cooling system.
A water pump might break in a number of ways. As with any mechanism designed to spin continually, its bearings can wear down — or suffer stress due to a belt that is too tight — which can eventually lead to the pump seizing or being unable to rotate at the required rate.
The water pump is immersed in the cooling system and relies on seals and gaskets to prevent fluid leaks. These can dry out or become damaged, causing drips and sprays and drawing air into the cooling system. Broken or bent impeller blades — particularly those made out of plastic — can lead to a pump failure, and the impeller itself can separate from the impeller shaft and stop spinning completely. Damage from a corroded cooling system can also occur.
Finally, if the belt that drives the water pump snaps, the pump will stop working.
Water pumps have a finite service life. Depending on the model, you can usually count on somewhere between 60,000 and 90,000 miles of service before it's time to swap in a new pump. Some modern vehicles feature designs rated to 100,000 miles. A water pump may still function outside of those limits, but at that point, you run a higher risk of sudden failure.
Symptoms of a bad water pump can include coolant puddles underneath the vehicle, as well as the engine overheating. More specific clues that you are dealing with a bad water pump include excess vibrations or noises from the pump itself, which can indicate that its bearings are bad or that the pulley responsible for driving the pump is on its way out.
An engine's timing belt has roughly the same service life as its water pump. On some designs, it's also responsible for driving the water pump. Because of this, if the pump is showing signs of failure, it's reasonable to replace the timing belt at the same time so that they have the same level of wear.
Another compelling reason for replacing both together can be the cost of labor. If your vehicle's water pump is behind, or driven by, the timing belt components, not changing both at the same time runs the risk of doubling your repair costs for replacing them separately.
Every component and part inside a vehicle is of absolute importance, otherwise, it wouldn’t be there. The water pump follows that same philosophy. It is essential for the smooth running of a car, and without it, you can’t expect the engine to work at all. If the heart of your vehicle is unhealthy, you can’t expect the rest of it to properly work. The water pump gives your car the ability to function normally, and it allows you to drive without suffering any overheating issues.
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An electric water pump performs a very important job in your car. It helps move the coolant from the radiator to all the necessary parts in the powertrain. By utilizing a controller, it can determine how much coolant circulates through the engine at given temperature ranges and maintain a target temperature. The coolant cools down the engine allowing it to run smoothly and live longer. But, If the water pump fails, the engine produces excess heat, which sometimes results in irreparable damage.
But how does a water pump help? The pump works by pushing coolant inside the engine and absorbing its heat. The hot coolant then goes into the radiator where it cools off and recirculates back into the engine.
An electric water pump uses a motor to send coolant from the cooling system to the engine internals. The system engages once the powertrain starts to overheat. The ECU receives the signal, and it initiates the water pump. On the other hand, conventional pumps, sometimes referred to as mechanical water pumps, use the engine’s torque that drives a belt and pulley system. The harder the engine works, the faster the coolant is pumped. The liquid travels from the radiator to the engine block, then to the cylinder heads, and finally back to its origin.
The water pump is also connected with the cooling fan and the HVAC system. The fan aids in cooling the hot liquid while the HVAC system uses it in case the heater is on inside the car.
Continue reading: Types of automotive water pumps
The electric water pump truly is a lifesaver when it comes to your vehicle’s engine. But how important is it, and how many benefits does it provide? Let’s find out.
1 Pressurized Flow
The electric water pump has an edge over its mechanical counterpart. The latter works with the help of the crankshaft, which means it is dependent on engine speed. The former has an electric motor backing it up, so the coolant pressure is high at all times, and you get powerful coolant delivery into the various parts of the engine. This feature allows the system to cool down better and faster.
An electric water pump uses up a small amount of energy to function. It takes the 12V output from the car and performs a highly important service to the vehicle. Also, there is not a lot of energy loss when we use an electric pump. The constant power results in an uninterruptible supply of coolant to the engine. The mechanical pump, on the other hand, extracts energy from the crankshaft which is then transferred onto the belt and pulley system and finally onto the pump. The true power from the crankshaft is never fully transferred to the water pump.
Mechanical water pumps have several moving parts, resulting in friction and the production of more heat inside the engine bay. The idea is to reduce the amount of friction, and an electric water pump helps do that in the best way possible. The water pump motor runs efficiently and only when it is ordered. Otherwise, it stays dormant and ready. The electric pump also has lesser moving parts, and it comes in ideal packaging, which saves space and reduces friction.
Learn more: Discovering the main water pump components
If you are looking for the best supplier to get an electric water pump, no one is better than Industrias Dolz. The brand specializes in making high-quality automotive electric water pumps that are durable and last long. They produce around 5.5 million units of water pumps each year, which is only possible thanks to their robotized manufacturing plant. Furthermore, that also means that Dolz ensures the highest standards of quality that you won’t find anywhere else.
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