Water Pump: Description and Operation

A centrifugal water pump circulates the coolant through the water jackets, passages, intake manifold, radiator core, cooling system hoses and heater core. The pump is driven from the engine crankshaft by a "V" drive belt.

The water pump impeller is pressed onto the rear of a shaft that rotates in a bearing pressed into the water pump body. The body has a small hole to allow seepage to escape. The water pump seals are lubricated by the antifreeze in the coolant mixture. No additional lubrication is necessary.

A quick test to tell whether or not the pump is working is to check if the heater warms properly. A defective water pump will not be able to circulate heated coolant through the long heater hose to the heater core.

The water pump on all models can be removed without discharging the air conditioning system.