Distribution? Beware the pump!

It has been written about many times, but probably not enough, because unpleasant surprises associated with this element of car equipment happen very often. This is a water pump that requires special attention and must therefore always be replaced together with the timing belt and its accessories. Unfortunately, not all workshops adhere to this cardinal rule, and the consequences of such a delay will sooner or later be paid by the owner of the vehicle.

How does it work?

The vehicle's water pump is designed to circulate coolant throughout the cooling system. Thanks to its operation, the heat absorbed by the engine supplies the heater circuit with warm fluid. The most important part of a water pump is the impeller. Its design should ensure optimal operation of the said coolant circulation, as well as protection against the formation of so-called. steam plug. This is a dangerous phenomenon, consisting in the evaporation of liquid in the lines through which fuel is sucked from the tank, as a result of its heating, and then depressurization. As a result, the engine may run unevenly or choke. As for the method of installing water pumps, it can be done in two ways: with or without a pulley.

Bearings…

Water pumps, like all automotive accessories, are susceptible to various types of damage. Bearings and seals are at particular risk. As for the former, water pumps use double-row bearings without the so-called. inside track. Instead, a treadmill is used, located directly on the shaft. This solution makes it possible, first of all, to obtain a greater load-bearing capacity compared to previously used single-row bearings. In addition, and most importantly, the use of one outer race for both bearings eliminates the risk of misalignment, and also prevents dangerous stresses inside the bearing. To ensure proper operation, double row bearings must be properly sized for the loads prevailing in a given vehicle system.

… Or maybe sealants?

In modern vehicles, various types of seals are used between the water pump and the engine block. They can leak both in the form of so-called O-rings and paper seals. Increasingly, you can also find special silicone sealants. While the first two types of seals do not pose much of a problem, special attention should be paid to their use in the case of silicone sealants. What is it about? First of all, about the thickness of the applied sealing layer. It should be relatively thin, as excess silicone can get into the cooling system. As a consequence, the radiator or heater may be blocked. As for the remaining elements, the shaft is sealed with an axial seal, and the sliding elements (made of carbon or silicon carbide) are “pressed” against each other using a special spring.

Added by: 7 years ago,

a photo: Bogdan Lestorzh