Don?t Blow Your Cool (Water Pump Replacement)
October 5, 2025
It’s always a good idea to keep your cool, and that’s especially true when it comes to some components of your vehicle. One is the engine. It’s hot under that hood thanks to the mini explosions that are occurring in the internal combustion engine when it’s running. Your vehicle has a cooling system which takes the heat out of the engine by moving a liquid coolant to a spot where the heat can escape (the radiator).
The part that keeps that coolant moving is the water pump, which could probably be more accurately called the coolant pump since water is only one component of the fluid that does the cooling. If the water pump fails, your engine can overheat quickly, and that can cause significant and expensive damage to your vehicle. Water pumps can be driven by belts (mechanical) or electricity (electric).
Your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends mileage intervals when you should consider replacing your water pump even if seems to be working fine. That way you are less likely to have a water pump break down at an inopportune time. Some manufacturers recommend replacing it every 60,000-100,000 miles/100,000-160,000 km.
Sometimes your water pump will fail before that, of course. One sign something is wrong with the cooling system is if you notice the engine is overheating. An illuminated engine temperature warning light on your dash or a temperature gauge that shows above normal are two things to look for.
You may also see steam coming out of the engine compartment, which is another sign of overheating. Both could mean your water pump needs replacing. We also recommend that when your vehicle’s timing belt needs to be replaced that you have the water pump replaced at the same time since everything will already be apart.
When your vehicle is already in to have the water pump replaced, it’s a good time for a technician to examine other cooling system components at the same time. Those will include belts, pulleys, hoses, clamps as well as the radiator, thermostat and heater core.
Need Service?
More articles from Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff
Differential Service
March 15, 2026
When you're driving and turn a corner, you probably aren't aware of all that's going on with your wheels. The outside wheels have a longer distance to travel than the inside wheels, so there are gears that allow the wheels to go at different speeds when you turn. That set of gears is called a d... More
The Right Stuff (Choosing Replacement Parts)
March 8, 2026
Let's face it. Vehicles are complicated machines, each having thousands of parts. And since they're subjected to heat, cold, vibrations, bumps and much more, these parts wear out and need to be replaced. When your service advisor says you need a new part, you may have many options. Let's say ... More
Timing is Everything (Timing Cover Replacement)
March 1, 2026
Theres an important part in your vehicle that shields your timing belt, timing chain or cam belt from the debris and gunk that can be kicked up from the road. Its called the timing cover. Its important because the timing belt or chain is what coordinates parts of your engine called the camshaft... More