A water pump is responsible for circulating the coolant throughout your car’s engine. It is usually located near the front of the engine and is driven by a belt connected to the crankshaft. The water pump has a housing that contains impellers which push the coolant through passages in the engine block and heads out to the radiator where it is cooled and then recirculated back to the water pump.
If your car’s water pump is failing, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:
#1) Engine overheating – If the water pump isn’t circulating enough coolant, your engine will eventually overheat. This can happen even if there are no leaks in your cooling system because the coolant isn’t being circulated properly.
#2) Leaks – A failed water pump may cause leaks in your cooling system. You may see coolant leaking from below the front of your car or from under your hood. Water pumps are sealed with gaskets and O-rings which can fail over time, causing leaks.
#3) Noise – A failing water pump may make noise as it struggles to circulate coolant throughout your engine. You might hear a whining noise coming from under your hood or from near the front of your car when you start up your engine. As the bearings inside the water pump wear out, they can also cause grinding noises