Water Pumps & Components

The cylinder head and block have a network of passages, collectively known as the water jacket, through which coolant flows, absorbing the heat generated by combustion. The water pump circulates the coolant through these passages and out to the radiator, where the heat is transferred to the ambient air. In most vehicles the water pump is driven by a belt from the crankshaft, although more and more applications today come equipped with electric water pumps. No matter the type of your water pump, we have you covered with high-quality solutions for your replacement needs.

Although cast iron was prevalent in the past, most modern-day water pumps are aluminum castings. Both of them feature a shaft within the pump that rotates on bearings, with the belt driven pulley at one end, and an impeller at the other end to move the coolant. A seal on the shaft prevents coolant from contacting the bearings and leaking past the shaft. Most water pumps connect to the lower radiator hose. When the engine runs, the impeller pushes coolant from the pump into the block through the network of channels, and then to the thermostat and the radiator.

Symptoms of a bad water pump include coolant leaks, noise from worn shaft bearings, and overheating caused by a broken impeller. The water pump seal can fail from normal wear and high mileage, depleted and contaminated coolant, and from shaft movement caused by bearing wear. A bad seal can cause coolant to leak past the vent hole or water pump shaft, and coolant can also leak from the water pump mounting surfaces. The pump shaft bearings can become worn from excessive drive belt tension and from coolant contamination that washes away the lubricant.

Water pump impellers can be made of metal or plastic. Metal impellers can corrode and the blades can break off. Plastic can degrade and break, and both kinds of impellers can slip on the shaft. A slipping or partially broken impeller will reduce coolant flow, with subsequent elevated engine temperatures or overheating, and complete impeller failure can cause expensive engine damage from overheating if the engine is not shut off in time. Regardless of the failure, we have the replacement water pump that will restore your cooling system’s integrity and performance.

In the majority of vehicles today, the water pump is driven by a timing belt or timing chain. Since many of the same components must be removed to service the pump or timing components, we recommend that the pump be replaced at the same interval the manufacturer specifies for timing assembly replacement. We offer both individual water pumps and the gaskets and seals needed for installation, as well as timing belt kits that include a water pump. No matter which pump you choose you can be confident that it meets or exceeds OE specifications, so you can expect a precise fit and original equipment performance.