An Opel Movano 3.0 came to our Autowelt GmbH workshop in 97618 Niederlauer with leaking water. We opened the engine compartment and realised that the water pump was defective and needed to be replaced. So we got the spare part, removed the broken pump and fitted the new one.
The water pump is an essential component of a vehicle's cooling system. It ensures that the coolant circulates through the engine and that the engine temperature is kept at an optimum level. Although in many cases it is not easy to identify the water pump alone as the cause of a cooling system fault, there are some symptoms that could provide further pointers.
Water pump defective - symptoms
There are various signs that may indicate a broken water pump, although similar symptoms can also be found with other defects in the cooling system.
Under no circumstances should you attempt to rectify problems with a vehicle's cooling system yourself without specialised knowledge. Not only can even minor mistakes quickly cause damage in the four-figure range, the coolant in the system is also highly toxic and a danger to your health and the environment.
- Engine overheating: One of the most obvious symptoms would be unusually high temperatures inside the engine, as the coolant can no longer be circulated properly.
- Loss of coolant: A leaking water pump can lead to a visible loss of coolant. This often manifests itself in the form of stains under the vehicle.
- Unusual noises: A defective water pump can be recognised by a screeching or grinding noise caused by worn bearings or a loose running impeller.
- Steam from the engine compartment: If coolant drips onto hot engine parts, it can lead to steam rising from the engine compartment, accompanied by hissing noises.
- Fluctuating temperature display: An unstable temperature can also be an indicator of problems with the water pump.
Consequential damage caused by a defective water pump
As the heart of the cooling system, the water pump is one of the parts of a vehicle that must be repaired immediately. If the symptoms are ignored, engine components in particular are at risk. In some cases, this can even lead to a total economic loss of the vehicle.
- Engine damage: Overheating can lead to serious engine damage, such as warped cylinder heads, cracked gaskets and a variety of unpredictable further damages.
- Head gasket damage: Continuous overheating can damage the head gasket, leading to an expensive and time-consuming repair process.
- Damage to the cooling system: A defect in the water pump can affect other components of the cooling system, including the radiator or thermostat.
- Loss of power: An overheated engine cannot work efficiently, resulting in a noticeable loss of power.
- Increased emissions: An engine that is not running at the correct temperature can lead to increased emissions, which has a negative impact on the environment and may exceed legal limits, which in some circumstances can even result in legal penalties.
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