Water Pump Replacement Cost

A car water pump is an important part of the car engine coolant mechanism. If the water pump breaks down, then the engine heats up and becomes prone to breakdown. So, in case the water pump is not working, it's essential that you replace it at the earliest. This article will give you the low-down on water pump replacement procedure and also talk about the various expenses involved in car water pump replacement cost.

How Does a Car Water Pump Work?
When the engine is operational at high RPM (Revolutions Per Minute), it generates immense heat, which only goes on increasing and raising the temperature of the whole system. If a coolant mechanism is not in place, the engine will eventually burn itself out. That's why, there is a coolant mechanism in place, which circulates water around the engine and other heating systems. That is where the water pump comes in to the picture.

It's the water pump which facilitates the flow of water around the whole system. The pump itself is driven by the engine with help of a multiple rib belt. It is incessantly operational during the period of engine's operation. Since its operation is controlled by engine activity, water flow rate of this water pump is regulated by engine RPM. A thermostat is involved, which helps in regulating the flow of the coolant, according to the engine temperature. As the engine RPM increases, so does the rate of water flow. That helps in maintaining or lowering engine temperature.

A water pump is made up of main housing body, main shaft, impeller, bearings, flange, seals and a gasket, which affixes it to the engine block. The water pump is also responsible for cooling the heating mechanism of your car, which keeps you warm in winter. That operation is impaired, if the water pump stops working. If a failing water pump is not repaired or replaced in time, it can cause major engine damage. So, if you find regular engine heating problems occurring, check out the car water pump and replace it at the earliest. This car problem should not be delayed as it may lead to engine damage!

Water Pump Replacement Procedure
Before we can gauge the water pump replacement cost, let us understand the process of water pump replacement. That will give you an idea about water pump replacement cost and tell you if you are paying the right amount for the job.

The water pump replacement job begins with draining of the coolant fluid. Next, the multiple rib drive belt or timing belt is removed. Many devices that obstruct access to the water pump fastening bolts need to be removed. Once access to the water pump is possible, its mounting bolts are removed and the water pump itself is removed, along with the gasket that fixes it to the engine block. Then the new water pump is fixed in place and all the rest of the devices are fixed back again in reverse order. The engine coolant is refilled and coolant system is checked through operation. That concludes the replacement procedure. A cost estimate of the entire procedure is provided in the following lines.

Water Pump Replacement Cost Breakdown
As you can see the cost to replace water pump in a car has a lot of labor cost involved. Time required to process the whole job is about three and a half hours. In addition to that, parts that need to be replaced in addition to the pump like timing belt, camshaft seals, timing belt tensioner, coolant and fan belts, add to total cost. This cost will vary according to the car model too. If you consider all the expenses mentioned above, inclusive of labor cost, average water pump replacement cost will be roughly around $300. However, in general, the cost may vary, from as low as $150 to more than $600, depending on the car model and labor charges incurred.

A car is a complex machine and requires regular maintenance for its efficient running. Car repair is a job that must not be delayed, as it may lead to additional complications otherwise. Things like the water pump are especially important, as they are a part of the cooling mechanism of the vehicle. Hope, this article on water pump replacement cost has helped you in getting a rough idea about what all it takes to get the job done.