What happens when a water pump pulley is bad?
If the pulley is loose it can cause the water pump belts to shake and develop more heat. When this occurs, the belts can crack or literally shred; as most of these belts are made out of rubber and nylon cords for strength.
How much does it cost to replace a water pump pulley?
Dorman: Water pump pulleys from Dorman are available as OE replacements. Their standard prices range from $33.98 up to $55.77, all with Dorman’s lifetime limited warranty.
Why is my water pump pulley not spinning?
In most cases, the water pump is binding up, causing the pulley to stop spinning. Replacement of the water pump will fix your problem. The pulley will need to be replaced if there is damage from the belt on it. If there is no damage, then the pulley can be reused.
What does a failing water pump pulley sound like?
Whining or Groaning Noise A whining or groaning noise usually means that either a drive belt is loose, or the water pump pulley is bad. It may surprise your customer that a pulley could fail, but it does occasionally happen. Pulleys have been known to fail due to rust, which can cause cracking between their bolt holes.
Is water pump pulley supposed to spin freely?
Every time that your car is cranked, the water pump pulley will have to spin freely in order for the car’s cooling system to work properly. Without a freely spinning pulley, it would be impossible for the water pump to do the job that it is intended.
How do you know if your water pump pulley is bad?
Whining Noises The water pump uses a pulley or belt in its operation, and if this pulley is too loose, it will make a whining sound that some describe as harmonic buzzing. This noise is also caused by worn bearings inside the water pump’s motor.
Is the water pump pulley supposed to spin?
Can a bad water pump pulley rattle?
Rattling Noise Worn out bearings are the most common cause of water pump failure. Water pumps move a huge amount of coolant over time, and they simply wear out. Ask your customer if they loosened a belt tensioner and checked both the tensioner(s) and water pump. Belt tensioners can also rattle when they are worn out.
When should I replace my water pump pulley?
Some signs that the water pump pulley may need replacement include overheating, leaking fluids, and unusual noises from under the hood, like whining and squeaking. These indicate that something is going wrong with the cooling system. It may be the pump, pulley, radiator, or another component.
What do bad water pump bearings sound like?
One way to check for worn out or failed water pump bearing; is to check for water pump shaft movement. So, with a faulty bearing, you can often hear a squealing, howling; or sometimes a grinding noise coming from the front of the engine. Start your engine. Keep your hands and screwdriver or hose away from moving parts.
Should you be able to turn a water pump pulley by hand?
The only pulleys you should be able to turn by hand when the serpentine belt is not in place are: the water pump, alternator, and power steering pump pulleys. That you cannot rotate either cam or crankshaft pulleys by hand is completely normal.