What is a water pump pulley?
A water pump pulley is a pulley attached to the water pump system in a car to connect it with the timing belt. The timing belt wraps around a number of pulleys in the engine compartment to control the function of accessory systems in the vehicle. Water pump pulley designs can vary between years, makes, and models.
What happens if water pump pulley goes bad?
Extensive wear on the water pump or serpentine belt If the pulley is loose it can cause the water pump belts to shake and develop more heat. When this occurs, the belts can crack or literally shred; as most of these belts are made out of rubber and nylon cords for strength.
How much does it cost to replace a water pump pulley?
How much does Water Pump Pulley Replacement cost?
| Cars | Estimate | Average Dealer Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Ford F-250 Super Duty | $201 | $239.89 |
| 2007 Ford E-150 | $138 | $176.08 |
| 2008 Dodge Magnum | $242 | $297.19 |
| 2011 Lexus ES350 | $228 | $255.67 |
Should a water pump pulley have play?
Should a water pump pulley have play? The water pump pulley should not have much ” play ” in it at all. Any side to side movement would indicate wear in the shaft bushing and likely be a leak at some point in the near future.
Can you drive with a bad pulley?
A damaged pulley can cause the drive or serpentine belt to dislodge. So, how long can you drive with a bad idler pulley? The safety recommendation is not to drive the car at all and take it to a mechanic immediately. You should be concerned if the vehicle makes squeaking or rattling noises.
Does a water pump pulley move freely?
The water pump pulley on a car helps to provide the power that this part needs to push the coolant through the engine. Every time that your car is cranked, the water pump pulley will have to spin freely in order for the car’s cooling system to work properly.
What are the signs of a bad water pump pulley?
The most obvious sign that a problem exists with your water pump pulley is if it’s physically damaged. Extensive wear on the water pump or serpentine belt. Grinding sound from the front of your car. Engine overheats.
What type of sound does a bad water pump make?
When the water pump bearings go out it will cause a squeaking, ticking or grinding noise while the engine is running. This is because the shaft bearings are trying to lock up within the pump housing. This bearing failure is due to the pressure being applied by the serpentine belt or the timing belt.
How do I know if my water pump pulley is bad?
Appearance: With the engine off, check the condition of the bearing by looking for any side-to-side play at the shaft. Apply hand pressure – there should be no play at all. Also, rumbling or screeching noises coming from the water pump indicate a worn bearing. Cause: A misaligned belt causes excessive wear.
What problems does a bad water pump cause?
When the water pump fails completely, it will not be able to circulate coolant through the engine block. This results in an overheating situation and if not repaired or replaced quickly, can cause additional engine damage like cracked cylinder heads, pushed head gaskets, or burnt pistons.
Can a water pump seized up?
Bad/wrong coolant:Contaminated or incompatible coolant can cause corrosion inside the water pump. Worn/improperly installed belt:A belt that’s either misaligned or too tight can make the water pump seize. When seals overheat, they fail and cause even more coolant leakage.
What causes a water pump to go bad in a car?
Contaminated coolant, non-compatible coolant, or mixing coolants of different chemistries leads to premature water pump failure. Harmful contamination is common in systems that are not properly maintained. The coolant should be entirely replaced with the correct vehicle manufacturer’s recommended coolant.
What causes a water pump to go out?
The most common water-pump failure is due to worn bearings. And mixing coolants, or using the wrong coolant, can cause damage to the water-pump seals and bearings, and can lead to the impeller shaft to fail. If the pump is out, look at the impeller for signs of corrosion or cavitation.
How often should you replace your water pump?
Facts and figures: a working water pump only needs to be replaced after 60,000-100,000 miles, so if you have your car for less than 10 years, you may never have to worry about it.