How to tell if a Water Pump is Bad
Overview
First off, the water pump is an extremely important piece of your car's engine. For the pump to fail, or to leak coolant out, could cause severe damage. This article is designed to help you determine what exactly you need to look for when surveying your engine bay.
First Impressions
The water pump on many new cars can be hard to find and even harder to remove. Most mechanics will suggest replacing the timing belt (should your car be so equipped) because the procedure is very nearly the exact amount of steps. Often, especially with four cylinder engines, the timing cover has to be removed. In some applications, the engine mount needs to be removed and one side of the motor jacked and blocked.
Always make sure of all of the tools and components you will need before jumping into a project of this magnitude.
Now does the car leak coolant on the parking space under it? If so, make very sure that you keep the coolant level checked and topped off. If the car gets low on coolant a blown head gasket is possible.
Check while the car is running to smell for a coolant smell at the tail pipe, or worse, white smoke. While the car is stopped check the oil to see if there is a foamy sludge build up. Both of these conditions signal much worse problems, but they probably started with a faulty water pump. But if it get's to this point, you have a blown head gasket and/or a warped head.
Another check while the motor is shut off, is to reach in and grab the pulley on opposing sides and see if you can wiggle it. This “play” indicates bad bearings. Not desirable either.
If the area around your hoses is corroded, chances are so is the impeller of your water pump as well.
Do-It-Yourself or Hire A Mechanic
A mechanic will have all of the tools necessary to perform the task. A mechanic will have a plan of attack for tackling the huge job of removing and replacing the water pump.
Be sure to ask around for the costing. Most of the time they look it up in a reference manual to tell them approximately how long it will take so they can already know what they can expect from the job in question.
Going to a mechanic for your water pump replacement may well be the better option. They probably also likely have a parts house on speed-dial.
Doing the job yourself, however, has it's own rewards. You will save bank on the labor costs, the 'pound my chest' option that guys as whole really don't do anymore. But the drawback might be that you really don't have enough time with your own job, to complete the task in a weekend. You might be without this vehicle for an extended amount of time.
Also, I have received new parts that were cast with holes or cracks in them. Always check the new product to make sure it's the right part, and that it is free of visible defects. And don't forget your gasket materials.
