Water Pump

A car’s water pump, is a vital component in removing heat from an automobile engine and keeping the temperature at normal operating levels. It is given its name, because car engine cooling systems used to circulate water to cool the engine. This is not the case anymore as coolant is used nowadays.

Before we get into the design details, there are other types such as the Wayne 4 in. submersible deep well pump. These typically have a power output of 3/4 hp and have an intake pipe of 1/4in. Another common type is the flotec 3-wire submersible 4in. pump. Most of these devices typically run off a 12 volt source although gas powered versions are also available. One popular use of these pumps are to transfer water for irrigation of land.

Water Pump Design

The outward design can vary by car, but there are similarities because of its function. The pump is located in the front of the car, behind the fan belt which is attached to the water pump pulley. It will have a hollow disk shape in the center and several arms extending outward. One will be attached to the radiator and another to the engine. Those two particular arms are hollow pipes and the other arms are for support. Rising from the disk should be an axle. The component is basically an end-suction centrifugal pump which is belt driven, typically a serpentine belt, and is connected to the crankshaft. A diaphragm pump is also another design style. It pumps coolant from the radiator, throughout the motor, and finally back to the radiator. It has a shaft containing a pulley on one end and a pump rotor on the other. When the pulley is spun by the belt, the pump rotor begins to control and circulate the coolant. Most coolant pumps include a rotary impeller that transmits the coolant throughout the engine block. They usually have a leak preventing seal around the pump shaft and sealed ball bearings at both ends so that lubrication is not necessary. A thermostat is used to control the rate of coolant flow through the cooling system. The pump is made up of a main housing unit, impeller, shaft, bearings and seals and a gasket. As the engine runs, the fan belt turns which turns the axle of the coolant pump. Using centrifugal force, the turning motion creates suction which pulls coolant from the radiator. The coolant reaches the pump and is forced against the exterior walls and then down a drain to the engine block where it passes through the cylinder heads, then drains back into the radiator to begin the process again. When the RPMs of an engine increase, the water pump flow rate increases as well.

A fully functioning pump is critical to avoid engine overheating and wear and tear. When it fails, it often makes a squeaking or rattling sound. It usually fails because it has sustained operation under pressure and high temperature for a long period of time. They typically last from 60,000 to 100,000 miles. To check the condition of your water pump, with the engine off, grab hold of the flange of the device and try to move it. There should be no movement in the main shaft bearing, if it moves a lot, that means a failure has occurred and water pump replacement is necessary immediately to avoid possible engine failure. When replacing, make sure to get the model# that is recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle. Some engines are designed in a fashion where the water pump is turned by the timing belt. With this type of design, if the device fails, it can cause coolant to enter the crankcase which can cause the engine oil to be compromised. This can lean to engine failure. You definitely don’t want you water pump to fail.