Water Pump: Description and Operation
Water PumpThe water pump is a centrifugal vane impeller type pump. The pump consists of a housing with coolant inlet and outlet passages and an impeller. The impeller is mounted on the pump shaft and consists of a series of flat or curved blades or vanes on a flat plate. When the impeller rotates, the coolant between the vanes is thrown outward by centrifugal force.
The impeller shaft is supported by one or more sealed bearings. The sealed bearings never need to be lubricated. Grease cannot leak out, dirt and water cannot get in as long as the seal is not damaged or worn.
The purpose of the water pump is to circulate coolant throughout the cooling system. The water pump is driven by the crankshaft via the drive belt.
Water Pump (6.6L Diesel Engine)
The water pump is a centrifugal vane impeller type pump. The water pump is gear driven by the crankshaft gear. The pump consists of a housing with coolant inlet and outlet passages and an impeller.
The impeller is a flat plate mounted on the pump shaft with a series of flat or curved blades or vanes.
When the impeller rotates, the coolant between the vanes is thrown outward by centrifugal force. The impeller shaft is supported by bearings. Splash of the engine oil lubricates the bearings. The bearings and shaft are sealed to prevent engine oil to mix with the coolant. If the seal fails, coolant will leak out the vent hole in the water pump housing.
The purpose of the water pump is to circulate coolant throughout the cooling system.