Signs of Failing Water Pump Gasket

A gasket is a part that provides a mechanical seal between two surfaces. In the case of your water pump gasket, it seals the surface between the engine block and the water pump, preventing leaks from the coolant that flows through the water pump. Water pump gaskets can be made of paper-based materials, and can also be steel reinforced, depending on the design of the water pump and the engine.

The water pump’s job is to circulate engine coolant throughout your engine, allowing the coolant to absorb the heat of combustion in the cylinders, and then to release that heat as it travels through the radiator. The water pump is normally driven either by your engine’s timing chain, timing belt, or an accessory belt drive.

What are the signs of a bad water pump gasket?

If you do drive a car that has a water pump gasket, there are several ways that you can tell that you may have a bad water pump gasket. Let’s go through them:

• Leaking coolant: Drips or puddles of coolant under your car, near to the location of your water pump, could indicate that you have a bad water pump gasket. Top up your coolant if necessary, contact your mechanic for guidance and have the leak fixed promptly.

• You smell coolant: If you smell that distinctive sweet smell of coolant, either inside or outside of your car, it could be a sign of a bad water pump gasket. Call mechanic about what you should do next.

• Low coolant warning light: Your low coolant level dashboard warning light may light up to alert you, if you’re steadily losing coolant because of a bad water pump gasket. If this should happen to you, pull over as soon as it is safe and shut off your car. Let the car cool down completely before opening the hood and add coolant. Get in touch with your mechanic and get advice on what to do next.

• Overheating: This is by far the most dangerous symptom of a bad water pump gasket. If your water pump gasket is no longer capable of keeping the coolant inside the water pump, and you are not aware of it, a significant amount coolant will leak out of the system, onto the ground. This means that there will not be enough coolant left in your cooling system to absorb and remove the intense heat of the combustion process. Your engine will run hotter and hotter, until something fails. If things get to this point, you can face some very expensive repairs, or even the end of your car’s life.

The good news is that there are several warning signs that will tell you if your car is on the way toward overheating. If you see any of these signs and catch them quickly, you may be spared any lasting damage:

• Your temperature gauge is running higher than normal
• Your coolant temperature warning light comes on
• You see steam coming out from under your hood

What should you do? Pull off the road, then turn off the engine as soon as it is safe to do so. Don’t open your hood until your car is completely cool. Call your mechanic, explain the problem, and follow the advice you receive. A tow truck may be the next step, because your vehicle might not be drivable. Preventing additional damage is now your top priority.

How do you fix a bad water pump gasket?

The best fix for a bad water pump gasket is usually to replace it. The procedure involves removing any accessories and other items that are in the way first, removing the bad water pump gasket, cleaning all of the surfaces that will be sealed by the new water pump gasket, installing the new water pump gasket, and then tightening everything down properly. Once this is done, your mechanic will refill your coolant, and start the engine to check for any leaks. If the new water pump gasket is properly sealed and no leaks occur, you are good to go!

While you have it all apart…

There is one important detail to be aware of about this repair: the large amount of labor that is usually involved in disassembling (and then reassembling) everything that is in the way of the water pump gasket. The gasket is inexpensive, but the labor cost is substantial.

Because of this, it is a very good idea to replace anything in or around the bad water pump gasket that may come to the end of its service life in the near future. This can include the water pump and the timing belt. If these items have not been replaced recently on your car, your mechanic will probably suggest it. If you plan to keep your car for a while, this is a very good idea that will save you money in the long run.

Can you replace a water pump gasket yourself?

While the replacement of a bad water pump gasket itself can be done with basic hand tools, getting to it is the hard part. The bad water pump gasket may be in a very tight space under your hood, with several components in the way. A hydraulic lift may be required to access it from underneath.

If you are not experienced in removing and reinstalling all of the items involved in this repair, including the disassembly of the area of the engine where the water pump is located, you are much better off leaving it to your mechanic.