How Long Does a Water Pump Last?

The engine in your car produces a lot of heat, which means that the cooling system in your car will need to do its job to keep it from overheating. There are a variety of different key components in your cooling system and each of them plays a vital role in keeping the vehicle at a manageable temperature. The water pump helps to circulate the coolant throughout the engine keeping the internal temperature at the right levels. The water pump contains a propeller that is ran by the drive belt. This propeller is what helps to push the coolant through the engine. Every time that your car is ran, the water pump will have to do its job and keep the internal temperature of the engine down.

For the most part, the water pump on your vehicle should last the life of the vehicle. Due to mechanical issues with this part, the water pump will need to be replaced over time. Noticing the warning signs that the car gives when there is an issue with the water pump can help to save you a lot of time and trouble. Neglecting to act when these warning signs surface can lead to the engine overheating and in a lot of damage to the engine.

Running a car too hot can lead to damage to the cylinder heads, which can be very expensive to fix. Because of its location and the complexity involved in removing it, you may have to find a professional to handle the repairs for you. If you do not have experience with this type of work, you may do more harm than good. The water pump will have to be installed properly in order for your engine to get the cooling that it needs.

If there is an issue with your car’s water pump, here are a few of the things that you will probably notice:

  • There is coolant leaking from around where the water pump is mounted
  • The car is overheating
  • The car will not start

When the water pump is replaced, you will need to make concessions to replace the drive or timing belt as well. The professionals will be able to advise you as to what additional parts have to be replaced and how urgent it is to have it changed.


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Greg

23 years of experience
624 reviews
Greg
23 years of experience
Audi A4 Quattro L4-2.0L Turbo - Water Pump - Surprise, Arizona
Greg was awesome, very knowledgeable and went the extra mile to make things perfect. No bolt was left unturned, really cared about finishing and making sure everything works.
Toyota Camry - Water Pump Replacement - Phoenix, Arizona
Attention to detail and provided clear information to his findings. Acted in a Profesional manner throuout

Walter

47 years of experience
416 reviews
Walter
47 years of experience
Buick Lucerne V6-3.8L - Water Pump Replacement - Sand Springs, Oklahoma
This guy is what I am looking for in a mechanic. Experienced, knowledgeable and up front and honest. He will get to know my car very well it looks like. Thank you for your awesome job and coming to my job to help me. 
Kia Rio - Water Pump - Tulsa, Oklahoma
Walter was prompt, professional, and made sure he showed me every step of what he was fixing on my vehicle. He even found that the original part that I thought I needed wasn’t the issue. Once he found that out he went and found the correct parts, and my car has been running smooth as butter since. I am so grateful that he was able to come to my work and fix my car. I don’t know how I would have gotten it fixed without having him come to where I was. Thank you Walter, you were a life saver!

Adrian

10 years of experience
28 reviews
Adrian
10 years of experience
Toyota Camry L4-2.4L - Water Pump - Rockville, Maryland
Adrian was very professional, polite, and timely, and did a very fine job. I plan on using him again if possible.

Marco

30 years of experience
329 reviews
Marco
30 years of experience
Toyota Corolla L4-1.8L - Water Pump - Colton, California
Marco fixed the water pump faster than I could have ever imagined. The man is knowledgeable, professional and pleasant. Would be very glad to have Marco preform any work on my car in the future. Thank you!

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Related articles

How to Replace a Water Pump Pulley
The serpentine belt or drive belt drives an engine’s water pump pulley, which rotates the water pump. A bad pulley leads to a failure of this system.
How to Replace a Auxiliary Water Pump
A water pump (auxiliary) fails when the heater fluctuates or does not work at all or when the window defrost is not working properly.
How to Troubleshoot Car Overheating Causes
Car overheating can be caused by low coolant, a faulty radiator fans, a broken serpentine belt, or a stuck thermostat. Stop driving an overheated car.

Related questions

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Your car most likely overheated because there was no coolant in the engine. The leak in your radiator will need to be fixed, and then your car should operate normally again. I would ask for help from one of the...
My car instantly overheats
Hello. This is a common issue when the thermostat is failing. This may also be caused when the coolant fan relays are not working properly. If the thermostat is stuck closed, this may cause the coolant to not circulate properly...
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Hello. If the cooling system is not leaking, then the engine is consuming the coolant. This is usually attributed to a faulty head gasket. Does the oil have any signs of coolant or water in it? It will look like...

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