Omaha Water Pumps
Let’s talk water pumps for autos in Omaha NE. The engine is cooled by coolant/antifreeze mixed with water. This mixture circulates around the engine, absorbing some of the heat. The coolant then flows through the radiator where air cools it down for the return trip back through the engine. Your SUV’s water pump is what drives this process.
Cooling system problems are the number-one mechanical failure in Omaha. So the water pump plays a pretty important role. You can’t get very far in NE without a water pump.
Omaha NE Water PumpAfter all those miles and years of pumping coolant, water pumps just wear out. You might notice a whining or grinding sound coming from the water pump. Or maybe see coolant leaking from the pump itself.
The precise location of the water pump varies depending on the vehicle. Some have the water pump attached to the outside of the engine where you can see it. With these, the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt.
Some have the water pump driven by the timing belt. The timing belt cover often hides the water pump with this setup, so you can’t see the pump without removing the cover.
When you have Westgate High-Tech Auto Care replace the water pump on one of these, you really should replace the timing belt at the same time. We’ve already gotten things taken apart and besides, the belt’s likely been contaminated by coolant. And timing belts usually need to be replaced every 60 to 90,000 miles anyway so it just makes sense to do both jobs at once.
The opposite is true too; when you change the timing belt on this type of engine, replace the water pump while you’re at it. The water pump will eventually fail and getting to it is an expensive project. For not that much more you can take care of both the timing belt and the water pump at the same time.
Water Pump FAQs
Question:
My water pump went out and it cost much more to replace than ones I’ve had replaced in the past. My Omaha service specialist said it’s because of where it’s located. Why is that?
Westgate High-Tech Auto Care Answer:
Some water pumps are driven by the serpentine belt and are bolted on out in the open with the alternator and air compressor and such. Other water pumps are driven by the timing belt. These water pumps take a lot of labor to access and replace. I suspect your current vehicle has a water pump that is driven by the timing belt.
Water pumps are fairly doable devices that circulate engine coolant/antifreeze around the engine and out to the radiator. Like any mechanical device, they eventually wear out. Although having a cooling system service done on schedule at Westgate High-Tech Auto Care in Omaha will extend the life of your water pump and its seals and gaskets – it will eventually fail and need to be replaced.
Those water pumps that are driven by the timing belt (the belt that controls when your engine intake and exhaust valves open) are attached directly to the engine block. The timing belt system has a critical protective cover. The serpentine belt and all the accessories are located over the timing belt cover. So getting to the water pump requires the tech remove a lot of parts – which then need to be replaced.
When the water pump must be replaced, it is a quick idea for Omaha car owners to go ahead and also replace the timing belt, timing belt tensioner and idler pulleys. First, because the timing belt may have been contaminated by leaking coolant; second, there is a schedule for replacing your timing belt and Bennington car owners might as well make the modest additional added expenditure while everything is taken apart to avoid the same labor cost down the road.
By the way, the reverse is true as well: When you are replacing your timing belt on schedule go ahead and replace the water pump at the same time. It would be a shame to spend the money on one of these replacements only to have to do it all again in a few months because the other then needs replacement. Do them at the same time and start the clock over for both.
Westgate High-Tech Auto Care Tech Question:
I was driving on the freeway in NE and my SUV engine started to get hot. I turned off my air conditioner and was able to drive about 80 miles to my meeting and then found a shop in Omaha. It turns out that my water pump was leaking. It cost me many hundreds of dollars to get it fixed. What could I have done to avoid this?
Westgate High-Tech Auto Care Answer:
This guy’s story really did have a happy ending. When you continue driving when your engine’s overheating you risk a catastrophic engine failure. It really is a good idea to pull over and let your SUV engine cool down before driving again. If you add water or coolant, be sure your engine is cool or you risk serious burns.
Now there’s no way for Omaha auto owners to predict when their water pump will fail – they just wear out. This fellow’s water pump replacement was more expensive because his water pump is driven by his timing belt. That requires a lot of hours to get to the water pump and then put everything back on the engine.
A money saving tip from Westgate High-Tech Auto Care in Omaha: if your water pump is driven by your timing belt – replace the pump when you have your scheduled timing belt replacement. That way most of the work is already done and you don’t have to pay for it twice.
Check with your understanding Westgate High-Tech Auto Care service advisor about when your timing belt should be replaced.
Give us a call
Westgate High-Tech Auto Care
12300 West Center Road
Omaha, NE 68144
402.397.8144
At Westgate High-Tech Auto Care in Omaha NE we install quality NAPA replacement parts. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit Website