Car Water Pump Replacement Cost

How Long Does A Car Water Pump Last

With proper monitoring and maintenance , your water pump can provide you with years of performance, but when its starting to show any signs of wear, you must replace it as soon as possible.

If you think your water pump is starting to demonstrate any such signs, or if theres anything not quite right under the hood, why not let one of our experts take a look and identify the problem for you? Were always ready and waiting to help.

What Is The Cost Of Replacing The Water Pump

Replacing a water pump in your vehicle will run you anywhere from $300-$700 if you go to a mechanic, depending on where you live, the car you drive and the mechanic you choose. The part itself is pretty inexpensive. It is the labor that really drives up the price. This is a labor intensive repair as the water pump is often buried and requires other parts to be removed in order to access it.

Part: A water pump itself is usually in the range of $50 -$100. Pretty affordable considering the part will last you for 60,000 90,000 miles.

Labor: As weve discussed, it is the labor that is pricey for replacing this particular part. You can expect to spend at least $200 but it may cost up to $650

Worn Out Tensioners Bearings Or Seals

After several miles, most components in your car would start to wear out. This is why you need to go for maintenance and checkups at intervals to repair or replace components that are already wearing out.

If the bearings, seals, or belt tensioners around the water pump wear out, that could cause the pump to go bad.

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How Much Does It Cost To Replace Both The Water Pump And Belt

The timing belt helps to synchronize the crankshaft and camshaft in a car engine, meaning that the valves move smoothly and the engine functions properly. A timing belt usually runs for 60-100,000 miles before it will need to be replaced.

If the timing belt malfunctions this can hurt the water pump.

The cost of a water pump and timing belt replacement will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle and the extent of the damage but a full replacement can cost anywhere between $500-$2,000.

Where To Replace Car Water Pump

Oftentimes, the best place to go for a good rate on water pump replacement is at a reputable mechanic than at a dealer, as the latters rates can be quite expensive. Just make sure to do some background research on the mechanic before you hire them to make sure that theyve got a good track record and dont rip you off.

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Whats The Difference Between Electrical And Mechanical Water Pumps

Water pumps can be driven either electrically or mechanically. While older vehicles are mainly equipped with mechanical water pumps, manufacturers are increasingly installing electric pumps in new vehicles.

Depending on where the water pump is installed in the engine, the mechanical model is driven via the V-belt or V-ribbed belt, the timing belt or gear wheels. The speed of the water pump is thus linked to the speed of the engine. Water pumps with electric drive have the advantage that they operate independently of the engine.

This allows the cooling system to work according to the requirements. Positive side effects of the electrically controlled drive are lower fuel consumption in the cold-start phase and lower exhaust emissions.

How Can Water Pump Repairs Be Avoided

Water pumps are under heavy load whenever the engine is running. As such, they will eventually wear out with time usually somewhere between about 150,000 and 250,000 miles.

One of the primary causes of water pump failure is a coolant that has degraded and as such, regular cooling system maintenance can help prolong their lifespan.

Coolant should be tested regularly for strength using a hydrometer and should read below -30 degrees Fahrenheit to be the correct mixture. If it fails the concentration test, the cooling system should be drained and refilled with the proper mixture of coolant.

If the coolant appears to have flakes or any rust coloring in the reservoir, the cooling system should be flushed with distilled water to clean out the buildups in the cooling system and then, filled with the proper mixture of coolant and water to achieve the correct strength.

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When Replacing The Water Pump Keep In Mind:

• It is best to install a new cooling system thermostat when you install a new water pump, especially if the thermostat is old or original.
• Completely flushing the cooling system is a good idea when you replace the water pump. Flushing can be done before or after pump replacement.
• The rest of the cooling system should be inspected too particularly rubber hoses, which have a limited lifetime.

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Water Pump Replacement Cost: How Much Is A Water Pump

Due to the amount of labor involved in replacing a water pump, the cost is estimated at roughly $700. Depending on the make and model of the vehicle, national estimates range from $300 to $800 with parts and labor included. The cost of purchase for the water pump itself ranges between $50 and $100. Professionals caution car owners that a cheap water pump may save them money upon purchase, but will not perform as well or as long as a higher quality pump.

A water pump problem is one of the many things covered under a Drivesmart powertrain plan. It is important to have your vehicle regularly maintenanced before a problem arises as preexisting issues are not covered under any protection plans nationwide. If youre vehicles mileage is getting high, powertrain coverage may be the best option to protect the engine, transmission, and their adjoining components.

Its always best to stay ahead of repair issues before they worsen. Knowing the signs of a bad water pump, or the cooling system at large, is a major benefit for vehicle maintenance. A reliable protection plan on your car will ensure that, when expensive problems arise, youre not stuck with an unexpected financial burden.

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What Are The Symptoms Of A Failed Water Pump

Water pumps can fail in three main ways either by failing to circulate coolant, leaking or making noise.

When a water pump wears out, it may start to leak. This can be because the seal between the water pump and the block has worn down or the bearing on the water pump fins wears out and blows out the seal around it.

Because the water pump holds a lot of the coolant in the engine inside its housing, when they start to leak, it will be a major coolant leak and is most often not driveable when in this instance.

Since water pumps can be located inside the front cover of the engine and driven by the timing belt, they can also leak internally into the engine. This will cause coolant to mix with the engine oil which thins out the engine oil.

This can cause bearing wear inside the engine which can damage the engine. The symptoms of coolant mixing with the engine can be overheating as well as the oil appearing milky brown.

Water pump bearings can also start to make noise when they wear out which will sound like a squealing noise. This can sometimes be mistaken for a serpentine belt or pulley and should be diagnosed using either a stethoscope or an electrical noise diagnosis device.

These repairs can be very costly and thus, any overheating condition must be addressed immediately to prevent them.

What Does It Cost To Repair A Water Pump

Because water pumps can be built in many different ways and be located in different places in the engine, the costs can vary from vehicle to vehicle. Here are a few different examples of water pump replacement cost to give you an idea of the range of prices :

1. A 2010 Toyota Corolla 2.4L is leaking coolant. The technician inspects it and finds the water pump bearing failed and is letting coolant leak out.

• Water pump $48 approx.
• Remove and replace 2.3 hrs at $80/hr $184
• Shop supplies $10
• Cost of repair $257

2. A 2014 Ford F-150 5.0L is whining from the front of the engine. The technician diagnoses the noise and determines that it is the water pump bearing.

• Water pump $75 approx.
• Removed and replace 1.7 hrs at $80/hr $136
• Diagnosis 1.0 hr at $80/hr $80
• Shop supplies $10
• Cost of repair $316

3. A 2006 Subaru Forester 2.5L is overheating. The technician performs cooling system tests on the engine and concludes that the water pump is not circulating properly. After removing the timing cover, the technician finds the water pump impeller is worn out.

• Water pump $55 approx.
• Removal and replacement 3.0 hrs at $80/hr $240
• Diagnosis 2.0 hrs at $80/hr $160
• Shop supplies $10
• Cost of repair $480

4. A 2001 Chrysler Sebring 2.7L has oil and coolant mixing, evidenced by a milky brown oil condition. The technician performs testing and diagnoses a water pump leaking inside the front cover.

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How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Water Pump In The Uk

On average: £250 £700

The average water pump replacement cost is between £250 £700 in the UK. The cost of water pump, gaskets and coolant is around £70 £250, with the bulk of the cost being labour costs, which are around £180 £450 . The exact cost of any damage to the water pump will depend on the amount of repair work required.

This depends on the vehicle model, whether it is a mechanical or electric water pump and how it is powered. Also the change is often cheaper in older vehicles, because the individual components are less tightly built into the engine and the water pump can therefore be replaced more quickly.

Additional costs can arise if, in addition to the water pump, the thermostat or the cambelt / alternator belt is to be replaced, which could make sense. Below is an example of the cost of water pump replacement on a Mini One in a car garage in Birmingham:

How To Test Water Pump: How To Tell If Your Water Pump Is Bad

If a car is overheating or about to overheat, the culprit could be any one of the components in the cooling system. As mentioned above, the radiator, thermostat, or hoses and lines may become faulty. Any of these, including the water pump, could be the reasons for car overheating. Because these failing components will share similar symptoms, learning how to know if a water pump is bad will prove helpful in narrowing down the possibilities saving time and money on the repair.

How to Tell if Water Pump is Working

• Put the vehicle in park, remove the radiator cap, and start the engine. Let the engine run for approximately 20 minutes.

• Look into the radiator opening to see if the coolant is flowing properly. If the coolant is not circulating, this could be caused by the water pump, thermostat, or radiator.

• Replace the radiator cap and squeeze the upper radiator hose. Use a cloth or rag when squeezing the tube to prevent burning your hand. If the water pump is working, there should be a surge of coolant that runs through the hose when you release it.

• If there is no surge of coolant through the radiator hose, the coolant is not flowing properly. Turn the heater in the car all the way up. If there is little or no heat coming from the air unit, this is an additional sign that the coolant is not circulating correctly.

Water Pump Bearing: Bad Water Pump Sound

• If the water pump bearing is faulty, it will emit a squealing or grinding noise, and the pump shaft will not move properly.

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Water Pump Replacement Labor Hours Estimation

Diagnosing a broken water pump earlier will take less time to do, usually taking a competent mechanic no more than two hours. The replacement will generally take no less than an hour and up to three or four hours.

However, if the water pump failure has caused more damage to the car then the mechanic will need more time to assess the extent of the knock-on issues and to fix all of the issues.

Howlong Does A Water Pump Last In A Car

When it comes to water pump longevity, they are designed to last a long time. Most manufacturers recommend getting your water pump replaced when you change the timing belt. Water pumps are driven by the timing belt and hence they can last as long as the latter does. On an average, water pumps can last anywhere between 60,000 and 90,000 miles. Of course, some water pumps may be damaged well before its time and need a quick replacement to safeguard the engine.

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Is It Possible To Drive With A Faulty Water Pump

The severity of the water pump failure will significantly impact this. Some water pump failures arent as serious or as severe as others. In most instances, as long as the engine has a coolant and is not overheating, you should be fine to drive. You should still avoid excessive driving and address any water pump issues as soon as possible.

However, with more serious water pump failures, all coolant flow can be lost. When this happens, an engines temperature rises quickly. You should pull over as quickly as feasible in a secure spot. You risk damaging the head gasket if you drive too much and allow the engine to overheat. Theres also the possibility of more extensive and costly harm. The aim is to get to a safe location and have the automobile hauled home or to a shop for repairs.

A Mechanics Tips About Water Pump Replacement

• Always fill up your car with a new coolant after the water pump replacement if you havent changed it for a while.
• If your water pump is driven by the timing belt or timing chain, it may be a good time to replace them. If you do so, I recommend replacing all necessary parts at the same time.
• Ensure that you bleed your coolant system after the water pump replacement, or your car might overheat and get damaged. I do recommend using a vacuum coolant bleeder. A failed bleeding can result in hot spots in the cars cooling system, which can result in severe damages to your engine if you are unlucky.
• Never begin a water pump replacement before you are 100% sure that the cars coolant is cold otherwise, it can result in injuries as the cars coolant can reach boiling temperatures

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White Smoke From Radiator

A bad water pump can overheat the engine of your car. Overheating of the engine can cause a lot of trouble for you. Since coolant is in liquid form and overheating of the engine will boil it.

This boiling coolant when reaches the leakage points it may escape through these tiny holes in the form of white fumes. Hence, if you notice white smoke coming out of the front part of the engine, you can be sure that something is wrong with your cars cooling system.

You need to check all coolant system components and see if the water pump has gone bad.

When Replacing Your Water Pump Think About:

• Installing a new cooling system thermostat when you are replacing your water pump, particularly if the thermostat is worn out or original.
• A complete flush of the cooling system is a wise when replacing the water pump. This can be done before or after the water pump replacement.
• Inspecting the entire cooling system, hoses, belts, temperature sensor, etc.

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What Does The Water Pump Do

A water pump is a vital part of your cars cooling system. Its main purpose is to continually circulate coolant from the radiator to the vehicles engine block to prevent overheating.

Typically, a water pump is belt-driven and gets its power from the engines crankshaft. Designed as a centrifuge, the water pump draws cooled fluid from the radiator in through the pumps center inlet. It then circulates the fluid into the engine and back into the cars cooling system.

While not in widespread use , electric water pumps are showing up more and more in newer vehicles. These pumps receive energy from the cars electrical system rather than an engine-driven pulley system.

Thirsty for more information? Check out our article Does My Car Need a New Water Pump?