The invisible enemy of water pumps
When checking a water pump, you might be confused by the coloured spot on the water pump reservoir. This tinted spot is often associated with coolant leakage; however, it is necessary to make sure that this is not a natural leak. There are several ways to check if the leak is natural. If you're a mechanic, the easiest way is to use a pressure tester like the Cooling System Test & Refill Kit MV4525 from Mityvac. The new patented technology combines simultaneous testing and monitoring of pressure, vacuum, and temperature, providing real-time data that goes far beyond the capabilities of a simple pressure tester.
2023-01-16
Have you ever experienced an issue with your water pump? A water pump failure can happen at any time. The most common sign of a water pump failure is coolant leakage under the front of the car.
How to correctly check a water pump
After filling the cooling system, carry out a final visual inspection to ensure that there are no leaks. When a water pump is new, minor seepage from the bleed port is normal as it takes about ten minutes of operation for the pump's internal mechanical seal to seal properly ( break-in period). More seepage and dripping from the bleed port after this break-in period, or leaks from the mounting surface, indicate a fault and are indicative of a defective part or improper installation. Remember that some leaks are visible when the engine is cold, while others are visible when the engine is hot.
In most cases, the unseen problem is the heart of a water pump failure. The formation of corrosion and calcium deposits could damage the seating surface of the SiC seal. The pump will stop sealing between the so-called "wet" and "dry" parts, which are essential for the proper functioning of the water pump.
The lack of inhibitors in the coolant, to prevent the formation of corrosion and calcium deposits, becomes the invisible enemy of a water pump
The cleanliness of the cooling system and proper mixture of distilled water and concentrated cooling liquid play a key role in the life of the water pump seal and its proper functioning. Inhibitors have a variable lifespan. It ranges from 2 to 5 years depending on the design of the cooling system and service intervals. If you do not have the right mixture or do not change the fluids because it seems clean, you run the risk that a lack of inhibitors will cause corrosion and other impurities into the system. The lack of inhibitors in the coolant, to prevent the formation of corrosion and calcium deposits, becomes the invisible enemy.
It is also important to verify that the standard indicated on the cooling mixture matches the standard required by the vehicle manufacturer. The colour of the cooling mixture may guide you in choosing the right the correct ratio of the mixture, but the life of the inhibitors may vary considerably due to the mixture used.
The ideal cooling mixture is set by the car manufacturer. The use of distilled water is important to reduce the possibility of calcium deposits in the cooling system.
Don't let invisible enemies damage the water pump and ruin your installation.
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