Water pump condition....How to check if its still working?

[wiretap_md]

Guys, how does once know if the engine's water pump is still working? Previous posts said to check if there is water movement sa radiator upon opening the radiator tank cover. Kasi kanina I replaced my thermostat with a new original one as well as my radiator tank cover and I noticed after filling up my radiator with water, the water doesn't seem to be circulating? Parang walang flow. Of course there wouldn't be flow if the thermostat was still closed so I made sure to warm up the engine muna. The thermostat opening was signaled by sudden bubbles coming out of the radiator opening then the water level went down a bit. This meant that the thermostat opened upon hitting the recommended temperature (Thermostat opens at 85C according sa box) thus allowing water entry into the engine block. However as soon as the water level settled na, I couldn't see any water circulation or movement. Hmmm...I've never overheated naman before. As far as I can remember, I haven't changed my water pump yet since we got the in 2000. You think its time to replace it already as a preventive measure? Thanks in advance...

[wiretap_md]

By the way, no signs of water dripping or weird sounds coming from my water pump.

[yebo]

pards, kasi when the thermostats opened and water began to flow, remember that the water in the radiator is still cold. then add ka pa ng water, cold din yun. so the thermostats closed again. wala flow to the radiator ulit, by-passed ulit yung water back to the engine.

try to observe for a longer time, especially when the fan is running. besides, if the temp gauge does not go up after the required temperature was reached, then it means the cooling system is working properly.

4 years is too early for a water pump replacement. but if you want to be sure, why not just overhaul it. mura lang naman overhauling kit nyan (bearing and mechanical seal + gaskets).

[wiretap_md]

Originally posted by yebo
pards, kasi when the thermostats opened and water began to flow, remember that the water in the radiator is still cold. then add ka pa ng water, cold din yun. so the thermostats closed again. wala flow to the radiator ulit, by-passed ulit yung water back to the engine.

Bro, I added water only before starting the engine when it was still cold. So when the thermostat opened, the water went down a bit pero may level pa natitira wherein if there was circulation, makikita mo yung movement ng water. Pero I didn't see any. Tapos I saw slight smoke coming from the water over the uncovered tank. So that means water from the block has reached the radiator tank na.

[jkyamog]

hmmmm. this looks like what is happening to my old Feroza. I just bought a thermostat, although not yet installed (no free time yet).

- no over heating, temp is still well in the range since the Feroza came to our house the first time.
- temp guage does work since there was a time a hose got a puncture about a few months ago. so i know it works.
- very little motion/flow of water even though its been running about 15 mins.

I did have my water pump replaced about 2-3 years ago, there was noise and some leak. I wish mine is thermostat only.

Siguro its a case of OC? Car works and we still keep on looking for problems. Medyo blurry na ata ang line between PMS and OC ah Sabi nga sa suking talyer, tangalin na lang nating ang thermostat! Hindi naman kailangan iyan eh. doh!

[wiretap_md]

jkyamog: You said it. Totally agree with you dude.

[wildthing]

In my limited time with kalikot ng oto, I have experienced not functioning water pump twice...the first one, the symptoms were a leak sign sa water pump...on the next occasion (different car)....no leak sign pero when I am running very fast (beyond 100kph) or when stuck in traffic (even without aircon), the water temp begins to increase to about 3/4th of the way (pero not on the red mark)...tapos pagnagmenor ka or tumakbo na uli ang oto bilis baba din naman ang temp sa normal level.

What happened in the 2nd scenario was that the waterpump "cyclone" fins were already corroded at napudpud so mas less na force niya to pump the water...

just my 2 cents.

[Kicker15]

di kaya barado lang yung radiator??? nagwowork ba yung mga radiator flush sa ganyang situations?

[jim]

I won't recommend radiator flushes. Better to have the radiator cleaned mura lang naman. If overheating is the problem yes it might be a clogged or leaking radiator/hose or a defective water pump. Checking the water pump is not easy coz' you have to visually check so removal is required. But if the water return hose (from engine to radiator) is warm to touch then ur water pump is ok.

[Kicker15]

is it possible na blow by yung engine mo kaya cya nag ooverheat? yung saturn engine ko kasi unusually magalas na ngayon magoverheat. before pag naka aircon lang and pag tanghaling tapat ngayon kahit gabi basta umandar cya for about 30 mins tataas na yung temp.

[pentot2]

ASK KO LANG PO.... LAGI KASI NAUUBUSAN NG WATER ANG RESERVED TANK 3 - 4 DAYS LANG UBOS NA SIRA KAYA ANG WATER PUMP NUN?? THANKS

[jkyamog]

Hi,

I think both our cars does not overheat or even the temp goes up in traffic or high speeds. Wiretap has bought a thermostat and replaced his, while I just bought one is in the stage of replacement if I get time.

I think the question is car is running well but it seems the water flow is not as expected. In Wiretap's case since bago ang thermostat and seems to work, he is looking at the water pump as the possible culprit. Sa akin its possible na thermostat since I have yet to replace it.

What could be the possible cause of water not flowing strongly after running the car to make sure the thermostat opens. Wherein the car in question has no overheating problems.

- defective thermostat (Wiretap replaced his, so unlikely)
- defective water pump, how do you test?
- clogged radiator, how do you test? If you drain and put water and water comes out quick on the upper hose does it pass the test?
- blowby, but cars are running in good condition, no white smoke, eating of oil, etc.
- or this is just normal for our cars and paranoia is just causing this

[jkyamog]

pentot2,

Yes it is possible that the leak is coming out from the water pump. But I do suggest you check first the radiator and hoses since those are easier to check than the water pump. Also check/replace the radiator cap since that might also cause this. Check the water pump as the last item after you have checked the others.

[pentot2]

JKYAMOG,,

CHECK KO NA HOSE & RADIATOR GANUN PA RIN...

[jim]

Ipa-pressure test na lang muna ninyo ang radiator kung walang evidence ng leak and replace radiator cap with a new one. Although mabilis lumabas ang water sa upper hose this does'nt mean na hindi clogged yung radiator. Marami kasing tubes ang loob ng radiator and if one of those tubes are clogged hindi 100% ang cooling ng tubig pag bumalik sa radiator.

Ang water pump hirap i-check pag naka-kabit kelangan talaga tanggalin para ma-test at macheck visually.

pentot2: yung reserve tank mo ba walang leak???

basta hindi nago-overheat ang engine mo at walang evidence ng leakage ok pa ang water pump mo at radiator.

[Kicker15]

medyo paranoid na ko sa car ko. tanda na eh siguro barado lang nga yung radiator.... wala naman white smoke eh medyo mahina lang hatak. pacheck ko na lang

[wildthing]

pentot,

ganyan ang sintomas din ng sirang radiator cap or mali ang radiator cap...meron spring ito na pressure activated...nagre-release ng konting pressure kaya ung water from the reserve can do a back-flow. Pag sira na ang radiator cap, it gives some pressure kaya ang tubig sa reserve gets out of the reserve at natatapon.

hth

[fourtheboys96]

yung sa akin mejo may tunog yung water pump. bearing siguro pero wala siya leak at ndi naman nag overheat. kelangan na ba yun palitan??? o pedeng yung bearing lang palitan sabi dun sa isang reply???

[wildthing]

yes pedeng yung bearing lang basta yung lang ang may diperensya. Minsan pagkabukas, meron pa palang ibang sira...be prepared for a budget on replacing the waterpump assembly (long time ago it was about P1200 sa toyota DX ko with a 4K engine).

[JAYarc]

minsan nag drain ako ng fluid at radiator at engine jacket tapos refill ko h2o & coolant, na experience ko na nag overheat at mauubusan yung engine, suspect ko hindi nalagyan ng coolant/h2o yung engine jacket kaya i blow tapus refill OK na, sa 5K engine yun..>>