Should I replace thermostat with water pump?

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asked Jul 28, 2020 in Repairs/Maintenance by Aranenta (220 points)
Should I replace thermostat with water pump?

1 Answer

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answered Jul 29, 2020 by Mechanic21 (29,150 points)
There's no requirement to replace the thermostat when replacing the water pump.

However a thermostat for a vehicle is pretty cheap as well as the thermostat gasket needed to install the new thermostat.

So when replacing the water pump I always recommend replacing the thermostat when replacing the water pump.

I also replace the radiator hoses if they are looking bad.

If the radiator hoses are 10 years old or older then it's best to replace them with new ones just as preventative maintenance.

Water pumps on vehicles when they fail usually make a loud screeching noise or a loud squealing or even a squalling like noise.

The noise may get worse as you go faster down the road.

When you hear the loud noise from the water pump it's time to replace it before it leaves you stranded.

A water pump also has a weep hole on the bottom of the water pump which will leak coolant out when the seals fail in the water pump.

If coolant is leaking from that weep hole it's a sure sign the water pump is failing.

Replacing a water pump on a vehicle takes between 2 hours to as long as 14 hours depending on the vehicle.

Some vehicles the water pump is easy to get to and replace and on some other vehicles the water pump is very hard to get too because you have to remove other things to get to it.

Water pumps on vehicles last between 30,000 miles to 100,000 miles and sometimes longer depending on how well maintained the vehicle is.

The more your engine is running the more wear and tear on the water pump.

Some water pumps last 10 to 15 years but after 10 years my water pump on my own vehicles get replaced regardless of miles because when a water pump fails it leaves you stranded and can cause severe engine damage.

A water pump on a vehicle will not always leak coolant when it goes bad.

However if you do notice coolant coming out of the weep hole in the water pump then the water pump is failing or has failed and needs replaced.

The weep hole is designed into the water pump to alert you to failing seals inside the water pump.

Coolant leaking out of the water pumps weep hole is a sure sign the water pump is bad.

But sometimes the water pump may not leak right away but instead first make squealing or screeching noises when the engine is running.

Most water pumps last between 30,000 to 100,000 miles before they go bad.

When a water pump goes bad the water pump will usually make a squealing or squeaking noise that gets worse and louder as you accelerate.

The squealing or squeaking noise when the engine is running is a sign that the bearings in the water pump are going bad.

Once the bearings start going bad in the water pump it's time to replace the water pump because if you don't the water pump will eventually seize up and break your serpentine belt and leave you stranded.

Also another sign of a failing water pump is a coolant leak coming out of the weep hole.

The weep hole is designed to leak coolant out alerting you to failing seals in the water pump and when that happens the water pump needs replaced.

Look towards the back of the water pump at the bottom of the water pump to find the weep hole and if there's coolant coming out of the water pump then its bad and needs replaced.

Do not plug the weep hole as it can cause more damage.

A failed water pump will lead to engine overheating as well.

A water pump on a vehicle will not always leak coolant when it goes bad.

However if you do notice coolant coming out of the weep hole in the water pump then the water pump is failing or has failed and needs replaced.

The weep hole is designed into the water pump to alert you to failing seals inside the water pump.

Coolant leaking out of the water pumps weep hole is a sure sign the water pump is bad.

But sometimes the water pump may not leak right away but instead first make squealing or screeching noises when the engine is running.

Most water pumps last between 30,000 to 100,000 miles before they go bad.

When a water pump goes bad the water pump will usually make a squealing or squeaking noise that gets worse and louder as you accelerate.

The squealing or squeaking noise when the engine is running is a sign that the bearings in the water pump are going bad.

Once the bearings start going bad in the water pump it's time to replace the water pump because if you don't the water pump will eventually seize up and break your serpentine belt and leave you stranded.

Also another sign of a failing water pump is a coolant leak coming out of the weep hole.

The weep hole is designed to leak coolant out alerting you to failing seals in the water pump and when that happens the water pump needs replaced.

Look towards the back of the water pump at the bottom of the water pump to find the weep hole and if there's coolant coming out of the water pump then its bad and needs replaced.

Do not plug the weep hole as it can cause more damage.

A failed water pump will lead to engine overheating as well.

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