Water Pump Repair

The water pump is the heart of the engine of your car since it forces the coolant out through the cooling system of the vehicle. This is operated by a timing belt or fan belt that is located at the front of the engine. You know that your water pump is failing when it starts to leak the coolant or creates a rumbling sound. When these occur, you might consider having a water pump repair which will be relatively easy since the water pump only has a few moving parts.

Although water pump repair is easy, you may take time in removing most of the cooling system to get to an access into the water pump. It is recommended that you should have some knowledge and skills on car mechanics before your attempt to do the water pump repair on your own.

Water Pump Repair - Determine The Source Of Water Pump Failure

Before proceeding to water pump repair, you must determine the source of your water pump’s failure.

Step 1 - Inspect your car for any failure in its bearings. You can examine bearing failure by checking the shaft connected to the electrical fan blades, and the drive pulley to the water pump itself.

Step 2 - Once you noticed a free play in the shaft or the pulley, you will do the water pump repair by taking the pump apart and replacing the bearings.

Step 3 - Find out if the failure is caused by a leak in the casing. Check the housing of the water pump for water stains or any leaking in the drainage hole beside the pulley.

Step 4 - If you see water dripping from the drainage hole, you need to replace the seals inside the pump.

After establishing the source of the failure, you may now begin to remove the water pump.

Steps To Water Pump Repair

Step 1 - Let the engine cool completely prior to doing water pump repair. Do not open the radiator plug while the engine is warm because this will burn your skin.

Step 2 - Detach the battery of your car to prevent the electrical fan from revolving while you are doing a water pump repair.

Step 3 - Drain all the fluids in the radiator and detach the radiator hoses. Save all the fluids coming from the radiator in a plastic container then put it aside because you will put it back into the radiator after your water pump repair.

Step 4 - Take out the fan unit which includes the fan, the fan belt and the shroud. Detach the electrical leads.

Step 5 - To have access to the water pump, remove the pulley for the fan belt.

Step 6 - Utilize a socket set in removing the water pump connection to the engine.

Step 7 - Open the housing of the water pump then put back the bearing or seals as needed. Some of the hardware stores sell repair kits containing both the bearings and seals for particular types of water pumps.

Step 8 - Rebuild the cooling system you disassembled earlier by putting back the pulley, water pump, fan assembly or unit, fan belt, and radiator hoses. Put back the radiator with the fluid you have collected in the plastic container.

Step 9 - Step on the engine to check if the water pump motors are moving smoothly to confirm that your motor pump repair you did was successful. Make sure that there are no leaks before you drive down the road.

Congratulations! You have done your water pump repair successfully.