Water Pump Replacement FAQ
How much does a new water pump cost?
The cost of replacing your water pump depends on the make of your car. Even the particular model can affect the cost.
In addition, there are two types of water pumps: belt-driven and electric. Typical belt-driven water pumps aren’t that expensive, but electric ones can get pricey, which will obviously drive up the cost. Your owner’s manual should be able to tell you which kind you have.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some water pumps are easier to get to than others. The more your engine needs to be taken apart to access the water pump, the higher the labor costs.
Taking all of these points into consideration, you can expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $800. Of course, shopping around to get a few quotes is your best bet to get the best deal.
For more water pump information, read our article Does My Car Need a New Water Pump?
What are the symptoms of a bad water pump?
Modern water pumps are pretty robust. They can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’ for many years. But there’s still a chance they can fail.
Typically, a bearing on the pump may go bad or the pump develops a leak. If so, this can cause serious damage to your car’s engine. Luckily, there are a few ways to know that your water pump may be failing:
- Puddles of green coolant on the ground
- High-temperature readings from the water temperature gauge
- A low-pitched grinding sound from the engine
- Water leaks from the front of the engine
If you notice any of these symptoms, see your mechanic as soon as you can before your water pump fails altogether.
My car’s water pump is leaking. What do I do?
If your water pump is leaking, you have an issue. How major of an issue depends on the severity of the leak.
Water pumps typically leak from two different places: the shaft seal or the water pump gasket. Either way, there’s something wrong, and your water pump needs to be replaced.
There are some stop-leak products out there that you pour directly into your radiator that can (possibly) seal or slow the leak. If you go this route, keep in mind these products are only a temporary fix and not a permanent solution.
In short, if your water pump is leaking, we recommend taking it to a mechanic to have it replaced. Your engine will thank you.
What does the water pump do?
A water pump is a vital part of your car’s cooling system. Its main purpose is to continually circulate coolant from the radiator to the vehicle’s engine block to prevent overheating.
Typically, a water pump is belt-driven and gets its power from the engine’s crankshaft. Designed as a centrifuge, the water pump draws cooled fluid from the radiator in through the pump’s center inlet. It then circulates the fluid into the engine and back into the car’s cooling system.
While not in widespread use (yet), electric water pumps are showing up more and more in newer vehicles. These pumps receive energy from the car’s electrical system rather than an engine-driven pulley system.
Thirsty for more information? Check out our article Does My Car Need a New Water Pump?
Can you drive with a bad water pump?
The answer is both yes and no. Meaning, it’s possible to drive a car with a bad water pump, but it’s really not a good idea. It also depends on the severity of the problem.
For example, if you notice a small puddle of coolant on the ground or a strange sound coming from the engine, you can probably drive to your mechanic for a diagnosis.
However, if you continue driving your car, a failing water pump can lead to a failed water pump, which can result in overheating and complete engine damage. You don’t want that.
Now, let’s say you’re driving and your temperature gauge goes in the red, or you see smoke coming from your radiator. Can you still drive your car? Nope. Pull over immediately and turn off your car. You have a major problem and you don’t want to risk any further damage to your engine.
