The water pump circulates coolant through the engine, radiator and heater core. When it fails, the engine can overheat quickly, which can damage the head gasket, warp the cylinder head or score the pistons. Catching the warning signs early protects the engine.
Common Signs of a Failing Water Pump
- Coolant leak at the weep hole: a small hole below the shaft seal shows coolant when the internal seal starts to fail.
- Bearing noise or play: a grinding or whining sound, or movement in the pulley when it is rocked by hand.
- Overheating or fluctuating temperature: worn or corroded impeller vanes can reduce flow.
- Coolant residue or corrosion around the pump body and gasket area.
Why Water Pumps Fail
- Old or incorrect coolant that leads to corrosion and seal wear.
- Debris or stop-leak products in the cooling system.
- Incorrect belt tension that overloads the bearing.
- Running the pump dry or with air pockets in the system.
What to Check During Replacement
- Flush the cooling system and refill with the coolant type specified for the engine.
- Replace the thermostat and inspect hoses, the radiator cap and the drive belt.
- Clean the mounting surface, use the supplied gasket or sealant as directed, and tighten the bolts to specification.
- On engines with a timing belt or chain driven pump, consider replacing the timing components at the same time.
- Bleed all air from the system and check for leaks after the engine reaches operating temperature.
Evergreen Cooling System Parts
Evergreen supplies water pumps and other cooling system parts, as well as timing kits that include a water pump. Find the correct pump in the Evergreen eCatalog.
