Having a bad water pump can cause a lot of problems with your vehicle. If you’re asking “how to tell if my water pump is bad”, then you’re probably already experiencing some of the problems associated with it.
What does a water pump do?
The water pump is the main force behind a car’s cooling system allowing it to operate correctly. Every vehicle on the road today is equipped with a radiator at the front of the car to cool the antifreeze in your vehicle. In most vehicles, the water pump draws the coolant out of the radiator and pushes it into your engine block, cylinder heads and any other components that need to be cooled like an oil cooler, the throttle body or turbocharger if your engine is equipped. From there, your engine coolant is pushed, still by the pressure of your engine’s water pump, back into your radiator to be cooled and start the journey again.
If the water pump in your car fails, the motive force for the coolant quickly goes away allowing the water in the engine to heat up very quickly and your engine to overheat, possibly causing damage. There are really 3 main ways your water pump can fail, catastrophic failure, bearing failure or seal failure.
First, catastrophic failure to your water pump is possible but unlikely. This would include things like the actual pump impeller coming off the shaft, pump blades chipping or falling off or other damage that would cause water to stop flowing. Although unlikely, this type of water pump failure is the most dangerous. Catastrophic failure of your water pump will cause either a complete or partial loss of coolant flow and rapid overheating. If this happens to your vehicle, it may be accompanied by engine noise or a broken engine belt, but will definitely result in your engine temperature gauge rising quickly. If this happens to you, quickly pull over and shut down your engine.
A more likely failure of your engine’s water pump is a bearing failure. Your engine’s water pump is spinning with your engine so the bearing in your water pump can wear out the same as any other bearing in your vehicle. Your water pump bearing is either a sealed bearing or lubricated simply by the coolant so it has the opportunity to wear out much more quickly than the oil lubricated bearings in your engine. A worn bearing in your water pump will usually manifest itself as pump noise as it will allow the pump pulley to wobble as it rotates. In extreme cases, you may be able to see the pump pulley or belt wobbling as your engine idles. With your engine off and cold, you can try grabbing the water pump pulley and wiggle it to see if you can feel bearing movement. If you do, the best option is to simply replace your water pump.
The last way your water pump can fail is a seal failure. This can include the shaft seal or the water pump seal to the block. The shaft seal can fail due to wear or a bad bearing and the block seal can fail due to overheating, improper installation or simply old age.
If the shaft seal is worn and leaking in your water pump, the best course of action is to simply replace the pump. If you’ve got a water pump to block seal leak it is important to check around the water pump for cracks in your block first. The area around your water pump is due to significant amounts of stress due to the heating and cooling of your engine in that area and can be prone to cracking. A crack in this area will leak small amounts of coolant, especially when warm, and can easily be confused for a water pump seal leak.
If you do discover a cracked block near your water pump, you can quickly and easily seal the leak using BlueDevil Radiator and Block Sealer. BlueDevil Radiator and Block Sealer is specially formulated to seek out cracks in your radiator and block and form a seal and stop the leak. BlueDevil Radiator and Block Sealer seals the leak in your block without clogging or harming any other area of your cooling system!
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134 responses to "How to Tell if my Water Pump is Bad"
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what would happen when the water pump stop’s working as you are going forward at 40 mph ?
J. Taylor-Bey-
If the water pump stopped working while you were driving the vehicle, the circulation of water/coolant would be greatly restricted, water/coolant flow would stop and the vehicle would eventually start to overheat. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Will blue devil stop leak fix a water pump
Laderrick-
Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product intended to stop water pump leaks. Replacing the water pump may be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hey guys… I have a 1999 ford ranger. My car is over heating but my coolant is full and my radiator is dry. It won’t over heat if I put coolant in the radiator. It’s also leaking. I can tell if the water pump is bad or just a leak.
Matthew,
Thanks for your question about your 1999 Ford Ranger. If your coolant reservoir is full but your radiator is not then you have a leak somewhere in your system. The leak point will let coolant out when the system is hot then it is allowing air to get pulled back into the system as it cools rather than pulling coolant from the reservoir into the radiator. It’s possible this leak is anywhere but our guess would be that it’s high in the system like a heater core hose or thermostat housing gasket. The best way to find leaks like this is the pressure test your system and watch for leaks when the system is at or slightly over the pressure the radiator cap releases at.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Two days ago my car overheated but went back down to the middle. Got home and checked there was no water in the reserve . Filled it with water and when I got back from store 5 mile round trip the reserve was empty again. Can you tell me why ?
Cecelia-
Water/coolant will pull from the reservoir as needed. If it is emptying that quickly, it may indicate that you are losing water through a leak point somewhere throughout the cooling system. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi I have an Audi 2000 A6 Quattro an I happened to notice that my car was smoking when I got home! I then let it cool down to check the problem an the water tank was empty so then I started filling up the antifreeze tank an noticed all the coolent started draining out from under the car what can the problem be?
Itzel-
Thank you for asking about your Audi A6. Based on your description, your best bet may be to have your vehicle looked at by a certified ASE mechanic. A split or broken hose, hole in the radiator, leaks in the water pump, heater core, or engine freeze plugs can also allow coolant to escape.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hey I have a Chrysler aspen and my radiator hose keeps suctioning closed, there’s plenty coolant. When driving car starts lurching. Any ideas in the problem at hand or any possible solutions?
Thank you
Irelynn-
Thank you for asking about your Chrysler Aspen. Is the vehicle overheating at all? The most common cause for this type of issue would be a faulty radiator cap or a loose connection of where the hose clamps to the radiator. You can test to see if this is the case by removing the radiator cap when the vehicle is cold and checking for corrosion.
Thank you!
-BDP
I need to fix leak in bottom gasket of water pump temporarily…
Will I be able to use blue stuff as temp fix? Until I can afford replacing water pump.?
Sue-
Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product intended for a leaking water pump. Replacing the water pump would be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
The water in the water can keep reducing after a short drive, what will be the cause
Kingston-
Are you saying the vehicle is losing water after a short drive? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2014 Cruze- notorious for heating/cooling issues. Just replaced a few things due to leaks, however I am now getting a coolant smell through the vents but only when I’m idling in drive. No smell while idling in Park. Also- car smells hot, but temperature gauge remains normal. Has been suggested that it could be a bad water pump. Thoughts?
Jessie-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Cruze. Depending on the manufacturer, it is typically recommended to have the water pump replaced every 90,000 miles. However, if the vehicle isn’t overheating, more than likely, the water pump is functioning properly. Are you still continuing to lose water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello
I have ford taurus 2015 SE 3.6 V6. I had a minor front accident, which broke front bumper grill and shutter grill and the radiator is fine. One mechanic checked it and told me that the water pump is effected and failing slowly. My question is that is it possible that it’s failing too slowly in my case, whereas, my car did not reduce any amount of coolant water, no smells, no water marks under, with highway drive plus city drive. with and without AC. The car is fine but i have the doubt about what mechanic is saying
Please guide
Bundle of thanks
Asif-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Taurus. It is possible that the mechanic could have inspected the water pump and found a seep or some kind of build up, leading him to believe the water pump was starting to go. You wouldn’t necessarily see water/coolant dripping or leaving a mark on the ground. It is also possible that you wouldn’t really be noticing a loss of water/coolant, especially if it is in the beginning stages of starting to fail. The water pump is responsible for circulating water/coolant throughout the system and is typically recommended to be replaced every 90,000-100,000 miles. Based on your description, it would be a good idea to have the water pump replaced to prevent further issues from happening down the road.
Thank you!
-BDP
Thanks Blue devil pro for previous reply.
Can you please guide about octane also. Does octane affects car’s acceleration? and power?. I was previously using 95 octane, now i am using 91 octane and tires are not spinning. whereas, on 95 octane car was doing good burnout. Does that mean that car’s power is reduced. or it has something to do with tire traction, weather etc.
Asif,
Thanks for your question about octane. It is possible that using lower octane is reducing the amount of power your car can make. The higher the octane rating of the fuel, the more resistant it will be to knocking or preignition. If using a lower octane fuel is causing knocking, your motor will sense that and reduce the engine timing to compensate for the lower octane fuel. Reduced timing means less power and could be what is causing your car to not have enough power to spin the wheels.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I have a 08 Impala 3.5 engine. V6. I was told my water pump is leaking coolant . I was wondering if you a product that would repair the leak?
Bob-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Impala. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product intended to stop water pump leaks. Having the water pump replaced may be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello guys 🙂
I have a ford focus 2.0 TDCi that i was driving last week and i noticed some kind of smoke coming out the engine and i pulled over i noticed that my engine was waay hot than normal, but what puzzled me is that the expansion tank water was at normal temp so was my gauge. what could be the problem?
Malvern-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Focus. How many miles are on the vehicle? Typically, it is recommended to replace the water pump at 90,000 – 100,000 mile intervals. If it has reached or surpassed that mileage, it would be a good idea to replace the water pump. The smoke you are seeing could be due to water/coolant leaking from the water pump gasket on to the engine but, you would also be seeing the temperature guage rising in most cases. If the issue continues, you may want to bring it to a shop for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
water is in the resovoir and in the radiator does that mean that the thermostate is bad?
Samuel-
Is the vehicle overheating at all? You can check the thermostat to see if it’s functioning properly by removing it and placing it in boiling water, to see if its opening at the proper temperature.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
Thanks it was my radiator
I have a 2001 Ford Taurus I was just wondering it started making a loud screeching sound could that be the cause of a water pump going bad
If I put Blue Devil in my 2001 Ford Taurus water pump would that stop the screeching sound
Creighton-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Taurus. Is the vehicle overheating at all? Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product intended to stop leaks from the water pump.
Thank you!
-BDP
Could be your belt tension, maybe too loose
Hi,I have magane 2,the problem is that, the car is overheating and realized that there is no water circulation, because it doesn’t return water back to water tank… what can the problem? Thanks
Obed-
Unfortunately, there are many different causes as to why your vehicle would have no water circulation. Yes, the water pump is what circulates water/coolant through the system, however, a coolant leak or even clogged radiator hoses could cause the same symptoms. We’d recommend having the cooling system flushed and examined for leaks. If the system isn’t clogged and not leaking coolant, you may want to look into possible water pump replacement.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a pontiac g6 it overheats quickly and causes the car to not have acceleration i changed the thermostat and the top radiator hose as well due to a hole hopefully its nothing serious as blown head
Courtney-
Thank you for asking about your Pontiac g6. Your next step may be to have the water pump replaced. If the circulation of water/coolant is poor, it could cause the vehicle to overheat rather quickly.
Thank you!
-BDP
Toyota sienna 2004 213000 mile. Car was perfect drove yesterday A/c felt like had no gas and just throwing Air parked the car notice cold air is coming out. Turn A/c off then realized my car was over heated. Filled up Antifreeze to top drive 2 mile car start to heat again. I cannot see no leaks. Water pump fill cold pump coming out from coolent reserve tank seems as it going away but the small pipe to the engine is way to hot. The guy that help me said it’s my water pipe is that even making any sense?
Shira-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Sienna. Based on your description, it is possible that a faulty water pump is the reason your vehicle is overheating. If the flow in the cooing system is being restricted, and overheating that quickly, it is most likely time for a water pump replacement. You can also check to see that the thermostat is functioning properly and opening up as it should. A faulty thermostat could also cause the vehicle to overheat, as you have described.
Thank you!
-BDP
thanks blue devil pro am using Nissan almera 1998 model but when
is reducing
Akinniyi-
Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car over heat come and go what cause that
Ron,
Thanks for your question about your car overheating. If your car is overheating, but not all the time it could be caused by a clog in your radiator or a problem with your water pump. Similarly, a low cooling system level can cause overheating if the ambient temperature fluctuates drastically from day to day or the distance you travel each trip fluctuates also.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hi i have a 2001 Lexus i recently had a radiator leak so i replaced radiator still it was running hot so changed thermostat. Still my car is running rough But the gauges are normal staing in the middle. But after driving a short distance i can smell my car is very hot and when i open hood the top and lower hoses are very hot and feels like they are going to explode.
Kara-
Thank you for asking about your Lexus. Do you happen to know what caused the radiator to start leaking? Was the cooling system building up a lot of pressure? You mentioned the car was running rough, also. Have you noticed any problems with engine power? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
So I have an 04 2.4l eclipse that I’m having an overheating issue with, I’ve replaced the radiator, the thermostat. Coolant, checked all the hoses and the water pump. Now the car only overheats after I’ve driven for a while and had 2 stop alot or if it’s really hot outside n I stop only a few times, but averages maybe 20 miles before any kind of overheating starts.once the overheating starts it goes to about a quarter of the way from the top n just kinda sticks there. Sometimes it will go back down in temperature if I have a straight drive with no stops. I’ve tried everything including a compression test that came back with zero problems. I’m at a loss
Paige-
Thank you for asking about your Mitsubishi Eclipse. Based on your description, there is most likely some kind of restriction in the system, causing an issue with the circulation of water/coolant. Depending on how many miles are on the vehicle, it may be time for a water pump replacement, as it is typically recommended every 90,000 miles or so to have this service performed. Another possibility is having an air pocket trapped in the system. You may notice a bubbling or a boiling over if that is the case. Have you attempted bleeding the system? If the vehicle doesn’t have a bleeder valve, you can accomplish this idling the vehicle with the radiator cap off. It usually will take around 15 – 20 minutes. You should eventually notice the coolant stops bubbling up every so often. As it bubbles up the coolant level will drop and you should top it off.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2004 Audi A6 Quattro 2.7T that has been leaking coolant as of late. It seems to leak coolant on occasion while parked after driving. It does not leak everytime and the leak seems more serious at times. I’ve had it looked at and a leak was not found at the time. Does this seem like it could be the pump, or possibly the seal?
Barrett-
Thank you for asking about your Audi A6 Quattro. Based on your description, it seems more likely that a hose connection is loose than something to do with the water pump. If the leak was water pump related, that would have been detected at the time the vehicle was looked at. Are you noticing any other symptoms such as overheating? Have you had to add water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1995 Ford Ranger, 2.3L engine. It was overheating, I replaced the radiator, thermostat, heat sensor, HCL valve and flushed the heater core. The vehicle no longer overheats, but I cannot get the heat to turn on. When I check the water hoses, the one on top gets a little warm, the one on the bottom stays cold. Also neither of the hoses connected to the heater core are that hot. Is it possible that the water pump is going bad?
Willie,
Thanks for your question about your 1995 Ford Ranger. It is possible that your water pump is starting to go out and not able to push water through your heater core. If that was the case you would probably have a large temperature difference across your radiator as well. It’s also possible that your heater core is still clogged so it may be worth removing the hoses and pushing water through with a garden hose just to make sure it isn’t still clogged.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I have a 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade, in August I noticed a trickle of anti-freeze like fluid running down the side and underneath the engine creating a spot on our garage floor. If the engine has been running & under pressure, no leaks occur. After a day or two of being parked a small drip was taking place. When I operated the A/C there was an intermittent whining sound. Now in November I’m not running the A/C, the heater & defroster work and no leak. I thought the water pump may have leaked fluid through the “weep” hole. So far the radiator and all connections have been checked by a mechanic and given the ok. No overheating. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Mark-
Thank you for asking about your Jeep Liberty Renegade. Based on your description and the mechanic’s “ok,” it does not sound like your water pump is going bad. Typically, when the water pump starts not functioning properly, you would have an issue with overheating and more than likely, notice antifreeze leaking from the weep hole. Also, the fact that your heater is functioning properly indicates that you are getting proper flow, which means the water pump is circulating and functioning as it should.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a toyota camary 2.4….if i drive this for 3hrs The coolant water goes dry…i had to stop and topup the water again…no rising in temperature.it happen once when the water goes dry and thw car just stoped, i quickly check the temperature and it was at normal stage. I have to wait for the radiator to cool.when i checked the water inside the coolant reservoir and radiator has gone dry off.please what should i do please.
Williams-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Camry. Are you noticing any other symptoms, besides the loss of coolant? It seems strange that you are not noticing a rise in temperature, even with the extreme loss of coolant you are experiencing. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe -I am losing my coolant somewhere but the engine does not overheat-however when I first start my car in the morning it shakes and has loud popping sounds and is difficult to keep it running but after a few tries it eventually stays on and settles down-i have put an oil and gas treatment in the car and at first the oil treatment-STP seemed to help-anyideas-the hose from the coolant to the water pump has antifreeze on it my Walmart mechanic said but didn’t know where it was coming from.
It is scheduled to go into the shop but I was just wondering what it could be-the car has had no problems except an oxygen sensor years ago and is now at 181,000 miles only recently it started acting like this-after it is started it goes just fine but I’m worried about what it could be and cost to repair.
Thank you
Gayle-
Thank you for asking about your Hyundai Santa Fe. Has the water pump ever been replaced? It is generally recommended that the water pump be replaced every 90,000 miles, depending on the car manufacturer. A failing water pump, or a water pump that has gone bad, would usually result in overheating. Based on your description, it would be best to have a certified ASE mechanic take a look at the vehicle and give you a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
I am having a WagonR of model 2005… recently I got serviced it with a mechanic..violent,oil, everything which is compulsory is changed….but after 10 kms my cars engine started overheating and the car get stoped by itself…my question is that before getting serviced my car was ok no heating issue were there..but after it got serviced why this overheating occured..is there any mistake by mechanic while filling coolent….or while doing service…..bcoz now that mechanic is saying me that my cars water pump is damged and asking me to pay more for that….guys pl suggest me what to do.
L
Rkt-
Thank you for asking about your Suzuki Wagon R. How many miles are on the vehicle? Typically, depending on the car manufacturer, it is recommended to have the water pump replaced at 90,000 mile intervals. Are you aware of the mechanic bleeding the system after refilling the coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee the problem is my motor is getting hot & shuts down(off) BUT the radiator& coolant temp are COOL to the touch temp gauge is only a quarter of the way up when car dies then it takes 45mins to a Hour before motor is cooled down again gets hot in about 5miles or so
Cheryl-
Thank you for asking about your Jeep Grand Cherokee. Based on your description, it does sound like the vehicle is shutting down due to a lack of flow. The lack of flow could be caused from a faulty thermostat, perhaps one that is stuck closed. You can check the thermostat by placing it in boiling water and making sure it is opening up at the correct temperature. If you’ve not had the water pump replaced prior, this is also a component that would control circulation, so it would be recommended to do so.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2005 dodge Dakota 4.7L. I’ve added a 180 degree thermostat , 2 core radiator , flex a lite fan (3300cfm) and a new water pump. It’s idles great 185-190 degrees but when I get on he highway it heats up to almost 225 degrees. I thought it was a clog in the heater core ; so I disconnected the heater ( I’m in Miami fl; heater not needed) . It still heats up. What can it be? I thought of every option possible but still heats up. Do you think the water pump was a bad one? I’ve run out of things it could be. What you think it may be? Thank You
Cooch-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Dakota. Based on your description, there may be some kind of restriction elsewhere in the cooling system. It seems you have just replaced the water pump and thermostat, so that shouldn’t be the issue. A cooling system flush would be recommended at this point. Are you noticing any other symptoms? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I did a flush before I install everything, everything was good before I changed the fan and radiator. The reason for the change was because I had a 2300 cfm fan and it wasn’t pulling enough to keep cool when the ac was on. So I changed the fan , radiator and low temp thermostat so I won’t have to worry about that problem. At idle it’s a monster but when I get on the highway it heats up. I’ve done all possible except get a heavy duty water pump. So I ordered a water pump from Flowkooler ( suppose to be a more heavy duty water pump ; better then stock ) I’m gonna see if that solves the problem. I’ll update you all. Thank you for the response
Cooch-
Please keep us posted.
Thank you!
-BDP
The follow up. After the new water pump and another flush. It’s running awesome not going pass 210 degrees on the highway. Idle between 180-190 degrees with the ac on. The water pump was a major step up from the stock one. Thank you guys for all the info
I have a 1994 Dodge Ram Conversion Van in which the Serpentine belt broke due to the tensioner going bad. When a mechanic looked it over, he said that the Serpentine belt had wrapped around the water pump so it needs replaced as well. My question, is it likely that the belt caused damage to the water pump? When my belt broke I was driving and my power steering quit, but I didn’t notice the Van overheating.
Shelly-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Ram Conversion Van. Loss of power steering and the engine over heating are common symptoms when the Serpentine Belt is going bad. In fact, a Serpentine Belt that is failing would cause the water pump to not pump the required amount of coolant, which would cause the engine to start running hotter.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 1993 GMC Sonoma is leaking water behind the fan and it’s overheating. The water doesn’t drip out when it’s on it drips out when I turn it off. What does this mean?
Tracey-
Thank you for asking about your GMC Sonoma. Have you had the water pump replaced prior to this? Is it water that’s dripping out or does it have a sweet smell like antifreeze? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My Subaru outback is getting very hot after we changed the thermostat. It’s still holding fluid in the radiator, and my meter hasn’t said it’s overheating yet. But the car has popped the cap off the reservoir every time I drive. We bleeded it I don’t understand why it’s now acting up. Water pump?
Michelle-
Thank you for asking about your Subaru Outback. Based on your description, it definitely sounds like the vehicle is building up pressure in the cooling system. Typically, if the water pump was going bad, you would have an issue with over heating. Try flushing the cooling system to get rid of any debris/jellied antifreeze that could potentially be restricting/blocking flow.
It is also possible that you are getting combustion/exhaust gases pumping back into the cooling system. You can use a “Block Dye Tester” to confirm whether or not that is the case.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
I have a 07 cobalt that is over heating. If I ringing the heat it won’t. There’s plenty of anti freeze in the car. Is it my water pump or thermostat
Chuck-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Cobalt. The thermostat sticking could be the cause for your overheating issue. You can remove the thermostat and place it in boiling water to make sure it is opening up at the proper temperature. If not, a replacement thermostat would be your best bet.
Thank you!
-BDP
My father has a 2005 Nissan Altima, it runs for a while than shuts off and won’t start for several hrs. If really hot outside she won’t start at all until it cools down. Is there anything that you can think of that it might be
Tiffany-
Thank you for asking about your Father’s Nissan Altima. Is the vehicle overheating at all? Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1995 S10 4.3 V6 And it is over heating. I’ve replaced the thermostat, the radiator and radiator cap. I am getting to 210 quickly on my gauge. But if I have to idle for any amount of time it starts rising. What could it be? It also starts going back down when I start moving down the road. Please help me. Thanks
Lynn-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy S10. Based on your description, the overheating issue you are experiencing must be due to bad flow/circulation, as it doesn’t sound like you are losing water/coolant. Being that the thermostat and radiator cap have already been replaced, the next most likely culprit would be the water pump.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
I have 130,000 miles on an 02 Ford Ranger with 3.0 engine. It runs cool at lows speed with the A/C on or off, even in stop and go traffic in extremely hot weather. With the A/C on at highway speeds, the truck has no power and overheats when I try to accelerate. With the A/C off at highway speeds, it accelerates much better but temps still slightly rise under hard acceleration. (Usually slightly above mid-range on the gauge but at times it goes three fourths of the way up). I have flushed the system and replaced the thermostat. Does this sound like a bad water pump, a restricted radiator, or something worse?
Billy-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Ranger. Based on your description, it’s possible that a faulty water pump or a restriction in the radiator could be causing the fluctuation in temperature, although being that you’ve flushed the system, the radiator shouldn’t be restricted. Typically when the water pump starts to go, it will weep and you will start to lose coolant. Also, the vehicle will typically begin overheating at this point. Try removing the thermostat and running the vehicle without it to see if it still rising in temperature. Even a new thermostat can be faulty.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
I have a 2008 ford explorer, and the radiator is full, reservoir is full driving down the road everything is good, customer says the every 2 weeks they have top it off with coolant, but with a pressure tester there is no leaks at all no noticeable signs of a leak and it had passed a radiator test for exhaust fumes. could the water pump just be weak, Where could the coolant be going?? Thanks in advanced
Brandon-
Thank you for asking about your customer’s Ford Explorer. How much coolant are they having to top it off with? If the water pump was starting to go, more than likely the vehicle would begin to show signs of overheating. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi guys,
I was driving my 2016 Chevy impala and while I was parked I got out of the car and noticed fluid on the ground. I smelled it and it was radiator fluid. I was told the I have a “close in” system so I’ve kept the reservoir filled and it hasn’t overheated. However, a mechanic told me that the water pump had a small link and it’ll be around $700 to fix. My question is will blue devil help with my issue and can I continue to drive long as the reservoir is filled with antifreeze? Thanks guys!
Tom-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Impala. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product intended to stop water pump leaks. Replacing the water pump would be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello,
I have a 06 Toyota sienna. It has been overheating only when going slow or stopping often or at idle. I have also had to add antifreeze often. Today it died going up the hill, it wasn’t overheating. Could this be a water pump. The car will not start now, but turns over.
Kathy-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Sienna. Typically if the water pump was going bad, you would see somewhat of a weep coming from the water pump and you would have an issue with overheating. Based on your description, it’s possible that you are getting combustion/exhaust gases pumping back into the cooling system. You can use a “Block Dye Tester” to confirm whether or not that is the case.
BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will still work if your vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello,
I have a 2001 Chevy Cavalier.
It runs hot, unless, I have the heater on full. Both the fan, and the thermostat have been replaced. Any thoughts on what the issue could be. I did not notice any water leaking from the pump, nor is there a strong smell of antifreeze. Thank You, for Your response and help with this matter.
JR-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Cavalier. Running the heater will help draw heat from the engine to help it from overheating. If you are not noticing a loss of water/coolant, it’s possible that there is some kind of restriction in the system that is affecting circulation. If you have not done so already, try flushing the cooling system to get rid of any debris or jellied antifreeze that could be impeding flow.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
So I do not know if it’s my water pump or hopefully not a gasket. My car recently started overheating again and my radiator light just came on. My belt just started making noises the only reason I thought it could maybe be the water pump and hoping not a blown head gasket. It just started overheating again, but I have no fluid loss and no milky residue. 2001 chevy malibu with a rebuilt 2 year old engine
SelfTeaching-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Malibu. Depending on the mileage on the vehicle, it could be due for a water pump replacement and/or cooling system flush. If the system is not low on fluid, it sounds like the issue could be with flow, which the water pump is responsible for.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
I have my ford ikon 1.6 2005 model last week I drive for about 3 kilometres and it just switched off itself I noticed that they was no water in the watercan I put some water i noticed coolant leak from the water pump.could this be a water pump. the car will not start now.
Carry- on-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Ikon. Based on your description, it seems you were able to pinpoint where the leak is coming from, however, that would not have any influence on the vehicle being able to start. Your best bet may be to have the vehicle looked at by an ASE mechanic for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
I got a 1995 Impala ss got sparkplugs changed at shop went straight to emissions and my car overheated and lost alot of coolant in line at emissions so went home cooled car off went and replaced water pump and thermostat plus all hoses are new under the hood the cars gauge still goes over half but stays there or goes down when I start driving again below the half mark both fans are working too reservoir is full too idk what else it could be then went to emmisons again failed hp but passed everything else so came back a week later I passed hp but failed carbon so went and cleaned air filter drove car a couple days filled tank and went to emmisons now I’m failing everything
James,
Thanks for your question about your 1995 Impala. First, we would recommend using BlueDevil Complete Fuel System Cleaner to make sure your vehicle is running it’s best. Next, it’s possible your catalytic converter is worn out. If your engine is running properly but your emissions levels are high, this is the most likely cause. Lastly, if your car is overheating but the engine fans are working correctly and you’re sure you don’t have any air in your cooling system, try using BlueDevil Radiator Flush to get your cooling system working properly.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
With an engine started can you hold back the return water by hand? Like take the return hose off and hold your hand over the hoses and stop the water flow?
Bradley
Thanks for your question about your water pump. The water pump on your engine is a centrifugal type pump meaning it creates pressure by slinging water off blades toward the pump outlet. Centrifugal pumps work like a fan and have a maximum pressure they can output. Even if this maximum pressure is reached the pump will keep spinning without bogging the engine down too much, sort of like covering the end of the hose on a shop vacuum. Depending on the age of the car, the hose, and your strength it could certainly be possible to block the water flow from a water pump. A better test is to see if the pump can draw a vacuum on the suction hose from the radiator as a good water pump should be able to do that, even at idle.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hello, i have a 98 Cadillac Deville that is overheating but i haven’t let it overheat to the point it shuts itself off. Once the car reaches around 180-222 degrees, stop and get out the car I lose alot of coolant From the middle of the car and from the drivers side of the vehicle. Not too long ago I replaced both radiator hoses, as the upper hose had been rubbing against the engine and developed a hole but the hoses are still fine. Im thinking its the water pump since the belt makes a very loud whining noise and “chirps“ the whole time Its running and possibky the thermostat, would you agree?
Dylan-
Thank you for asking about your Cadillac Deville. Based on your description, we’d first recommend making sure the system is bled of any potential air pockets in the system. It would not be abnormal for air to have entered the system when you had the issues with the radiator hoses. If the problem still persists, the next things to look at would be the thermostat and possibly the water pump.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello! I have a honda crv 2015 and my engine is overheating. The water tank has normal water but the radiator is empty. I have checked the thermostat is ok, the same the water pump. I put thr water in the radiator drive about 100 km and the water is gone. No visible leaks. No water in oil or oil in water. What could it be? No one can repair it.
Thank you for your answer.
John-
Thank you for asking about your Honda CRV. For you to be losing water that quickly, there would usually be some evidence of where the leak is coming from or where the water is going. Are you seeing any white smoke out of the exhaust pipe? How many miles are on the vehicle? Considering the vehicle is a 2015, it sounds like it would be a little early for there to be an issue with the water pump.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 1996 Chevy cavalier keeps overheating and looses all the antifreeze in the reservoir. Replaced thermostat now says it is the water pump what is it
Lelia-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Cavalier. Is the add coolant indicator coming up on the dash? Did anything improve when the thermostat was replaced? Most vehicle manufacturers recommend that the water pump be replaced every 90,000 miles, so it’s possible you are due for this service. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 to discuss the situation in more detail.
Thank you!
-BDP
Coolant reservoir, coolant goes straight to ground. Water is in radiator. Do I need to replace coolant reservoir? Car keep running hot.
Valarie-
If you are losing coolant just as quickly as you add it, you may have a loose hose connection or the hoses aren’t clamped properly. We recommend having the hoses checked, and if the reservoir itself is leaking, having it replaced.
Thank you!
-BDP
So i have a 96 honda accord i have replaced all sensors,thermostat, fans and my cooling fan still wont kick on unless i turn on my a/c . When i tryed to bleec my cooling system when i reve my car all the coolant shoots out the radiator fill hole. Im at a loss on what it could be aside from my water pump. Would this be the next step?
Nichole-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Accord. Based on your description, and the fact that it seems you have already had the temp sensor replaced, you could have a blown fuse or short in the wires. If the thermostat was stuck or the temperature sensor is faulty, it may not be sending the signal to turn the fans on, even if the engine is running hot. Because you’ve had both components replaced, they should not be the cause and would more point towards an electrical issue.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have an 05 toyota sienna I had water in the reserve but none in the radiator. Got home put water in the radiator and started the engine got out and noticed a pretty good bit of water leaking out. Would this be a bad water pump?
Kevin-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Sienna. If the reservoir is holding water but not allowing water to return to the radiator, the two most common reasons would be that the radiator return hose is clogged/kinked or that the radiator cap is defective and not meeting the pressure specs for the vehicle. Replacing the radiator hose/radiator cap should fix the problem.
Thank you!
-BDP
Omg I do not know what to do!!! I have a 2013 dodge journey se and I have put over 2000$ trying to keep my car from cracking the head!!..I am tired in the last 8 months I had hell well 8 months ago I got a tune up done n then 2 weeks later engines light comes go to autozone they say cylinder misfiring so take it back who did my tune up n he says it’s water leaking on it n said i got a small leak in my engine n put Blu devil in it so about a month after I had to buy a compressor, alternator cuz it ran hot so I’m good about two months after that kept running hot so I had a new fan installed so it was good for about 2/3 days n started running hot so I got thermal stat done so I’m good about a month then starts running hot again so they changed the other thermal stat so I’m good again then again runs hot so I had to get one of the hoses that connected to the engine so I’m good again but still running high temp almost 240 but I would put coolant in it b4 I leave that would keep me good on temp for about 2/3 days so temp won’t get to 230 then boom it runs hot again
3 weeks ago had to get another hose replaced in the back of the engine and then tonight it runs hot again put coolant in it again so mind you between all this I have replaced all the hoses to the radiator, new radiator cap etc and my mechanic says the water pump is good my engine is good he shocked it keeps running hot which this mechanic is my new mechanic after the old one who poured the bluedevil in it because I swear I never had no issues with my car ever and been driving it for years and after that tune up every thing just got to get replaced and just want to know why am I keep running out of coolant almost every 2 or 3 days? Please help me i love, need and take care of my care HELP!!!
blessed Bailey-
First of all, we are sorry to hear of the issues you are experiencing with your Dodge Journey. If the original mechanic was correct, and you were getting water/coolant into the cylinders, it’s possible you may have been getting combustion/exhaust gases pumping back into the cooling system. Carbon gases in the cooling system, creating pressure, would explain why your engine keeps running hotter than normal. Unfortunately, this would be a symptom of warped/cracked heads. Do you know if the mechanic performed a block-dye test? If not, doing so may help diagnose the issue and help identify your coolant loss.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi,hands on j b Yancy,my grand Cherokee jeep 1990 models is heading and I have look all around the water tank no problem but water is always boiling, why?
Hands on JB Yancy-
Thank you for asking about your Jeep Grand Cherokee. If you are seeing water bubbling/boiling over in the reservoir, it’s a pretty good indication that circulation is being restricted due to an air pocket in the system. Typically, if the water pump was bad or failing, it would start to weep coolant, as it would no longer be pumping/circulating the water through the system the way it should be. Try bleeding the system to remove any air pockets and check to see if the boiling continues. If it does, it could indicate a more serious problem.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2011 Toyota RAV4. Last night I was driving and noticed the temp gauge shoot all the way up to HOT. Came to a completer stop and it dropped all the way down to COLD? So I continued driving home an it would fluctuate from HOT to COLD the whole way home! Got home and it stayed in the middle as if everything was ok. Turned the car off got out an noticed it was the car was leaking a lot of antifreeze. Today I went to inspect the hoses to try to find a leak and nothing all the clamps felt tight no cracks or splits in any of the hoses?
So basically I’m at a stand still trying to figure out where it’s leaking from?
Could the water pump be broken?
Thanks for your question about your Rav4. Based on your description of the coolant leak our guess is that the temperature gauge was fluctuating because your engine was very low on coolant so when there was coolant circulating it would jump up to hot but if there was an air bubble in the system by the temperature sensor it would drop back to cold. The first step would be to fix your coolant leak then see if there is anything wrong with your water pump, gauge, or thermostat. Since you said you were leaking a lot of coolant our guess would be a cracked radiator or a bad water pump.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hello,
I have a 2006 Nissan Exterra and it overheated. I noticed the front upper radiator hose blew a hole in it so I replaced it. I filled the radiator full of proper coolant and now after I let the car run for about 15min the engine gets REALLY hot but the temperature gauge doesn’t go above normal and underneath the car by the front passenger side is leaking a lot of water. Any ideas?
Charles-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan Xterra. Based on your description, a leaking/faulty water pump sounds like it may be the culprit for your issues. The water pump is responsible for pumping the water/coolant throughout the system. If it is not functioning properly, it would cause the engine to overheat. Replacing the water pump would be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have to add antifreeze to my reservoir about one a week. The garage can’t find where it’s leaking from even after a pressure test. There’s always a small puddle of antifreeze on my garage floor (actually on the cardboard I put underneath 😁). Any ideas? Bringing it back for the 3rd time tonight.
Amy-
Is the vehicle overheating at all? How much antifreeze are you having to add? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s conditions and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi I have a dodge journey 2015 and it’s been running hot 230 the most not overheating. I turn the heat and it goes down. Today I noticed a line of water coming from the bottom of the car. I check under the hood and the coolant is fine. What can this be
Cristian-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Journey. Based on your description, you should be able to trace the location of the water leak from underneath the vehicle. Depending on the mileage on the vehicle, it would not be uncommon to have a water pump gasket that is starting to seep. If you are unable to locate where the leak is coming from, bringing the vehicle in for inspection may be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi, I have a Camry 2004. My car had overheating problem and I changed the top gasket. But we noticed that radiator is always full and the temperature is still high. What can I do to radiator? Or there is another problem beyond that.
Kayode-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Camry. If you are not losing water/coolant and are experiencing an overheating issue, more than likely, it is due to a flow/circulation issue within the cooling system. There are a number of possibilities as to why circulation would be poor including a clog in the system, air pocket, faulty thermostat or faulty water pump. It may be best to bring the vehicle to a shop for proper diagnosis. If not, flushing the cooling system and removing the thermostat would be the best places to start.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car is overheating but the reservoir is staying full but it’s not it’s all it’s leaking in the front right passenger side in the front part though it’s Leaking from the top it looks like in my 2013 Chevy Impala I can’t figure out where the leak is coming from and on my dashboard it’s not showing hot or cold to staying right in the middle
Priscilla-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Impala. Are you saying that coolant is leaking and dripping on the ground? Are you saying the temperature gauge is fluctuating from overheating to normal operating temperature or that the needle on the temperature gauge is staying in the middle? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car runs well all of the time, as long as the weather temperature is lower than 104F.
But if I stopped in heavy traffic, when weather temperature is higher than 104F during some really hot summer days, the engine will suddenly overheating and keeps going up, unless I shutdown the car, and waiting the engine to cool down. Moreover, if I waited until the sun set, when the weather temperature goes down, the engine will run very normal, until the next similar situation with weather and heavy traffic.
It’s like there’s something stops working only when it’s overheating!
Any advise please??
Many thanks.
Bilal-
When ambient temperatures reach extreme levels, it can increase the probability of the engine overheating. Based on your description, it would be worth taking the vehicle in for a proper diagnosis as to what’s causing the overheating. A faulty radiator cap and/or a faulty thermostat could be the culprit(s) behind the overheating. These are the least expensive components to replace and would make a lot of sense to start there.
Thank you!
-BDP
No visible leaks radiator look clear clean and dry, belts fine but overheats after an hour every-time, I fitted a new water pump last year and thermostat which I have removed and same problem with thermostat plus and extra 10 minutes run time. Could it be blocked radiator cores, water pump failure or blockage in the water jackets???
Matt-
If the vehicle is not losing water/coolant, the overheating issue would probably be attributed to bad flow/poor circulation of coolant somewhere throughout the system. Flushing the cooling system would be a great place to start, as this would alleviate any clogs/blockages that may be causing the problem. If the problem persists, a water pump replacement could be in your immediate future.
Thank you!
-BDP
Struggling to get the exact type of twinport pipe from throttle body to water pump for my Opel meriva 1,4 ,is it possible to use for any other car without any problem
My mechanic told me that my 05 sienna is overheating because the water pump is bad, but it only overheats while the engine is idling. How can the water pump still seem to work while the car is moving but not while idling? Help is appreciated
Steve-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Sienna. Just speculating, but it’s possible that the extra compression from driving the vehicle is enough to help with circulation throughout the cooling system. The issue could seem more pronounced during idle because there is not extra compression in the system and the water pump could noticeably be leaking.
Hope this helps!
-BDP
Will engine make a loud tapping sound if water pump went out
Howard-
Engine tapping wouldn’t typically indicate water pump failure. It would usually indicate low oil levels. Does the oil appear to be low? Have you noticed the water pump seeping coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2017 Chevy Trax LT. Losing coolant but no visible leaks no over heating. Put coolant in yesterday I drove it for awhile and then stopped to get gas. When I got out of the car I could smell a paint smell thought some one was painting but when I got into the car I could smell it inside of the car.
Sharron-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Trax. How quickly are you losing coolant? Is the vehicle overheating at all? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP