KNOW YOUR WATER PUMP
I spoke of the water pump of an automobile yesterday, today I want to let you all know about the structure and mechanism which is behind the behavioral characteristic of the water pump. Some essential parts are the flange, shaft bearing, vapor hole, body, mechanical seal, impeller, weep hole. The flange which is also known as the hub always has a pulley mounted on it. The shaft bearing could also be either the ball bearing or double ball bearing or either the roller type. The body also could be made with either aluminum with die-cast or gravity-cast and cast iron. The mechanical seal must maintain a rotor which is being tightly closed. The impeller on the other hand is either made of pressed steel or cast iron.
FUNCTIONS OF SOME PARTS
- The crankshaft rotary power drives the impeller rotation through the water pump pulley and bearing shaft.
- The impeller rotation also drives the coolant into the water jacket, with the help of centrifugal force and this makes the coolant circulate round the engine.
- Whenever the engine of a car is running, the water pump flange belt or the timing belt continues to drive the bearing shaft at a higher revolution per minute than the engine revolution per minute. To this end, a high durability is therefore required for the water pump.
- Once the coolant is in circulation, the coolant would have filled the pump room and the water pump bearing is isolated by the mechanical seal.
- This mechanical seal is a typical dynamic rotation seal type and it is always required to rotate in lubricated condition. The chemistry behind this is that the approached and lubricated liquid turns into vapor.
- The weep hole in the body has a mechanism to discharge the vapor out of the hole.
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS DURING REPLACEMENT - The replacement of the water pump should be conducted by an experienced automobile technician who is a specialist in the field.
- When making the purchase of the water pump, always confirm it to be the same with the designated car model, production year.
- Do not hit the water pump with a hammer before replacing.
- Never install the water pump while the engine is hot or running. Any heated coolant which flow out may cause burns or injury.
- Never refill the coolant or cold water whenever the engine is heated. A sudden change in temperature would damage the mechanical seal.
- Never should you start the engine without the specifies coolant, it would cause great damage.