2012 Chevrolet Sonic - Water Pump

Repair Your Car's Water Pump

Your water pump pressurizes coolant to keep it moving throughout the engine and cooling system, helping to keep your engine at its appropriate and safe-operating temperature. The water pump on your vehicle includes an impeller inside the engine's water channel that is driven by a pulley, which is powered by the engine's belt. Over time, the water pump gasket, the impeller, or the bearing in the water pump may fail. Depending on how your water pump fails, you may experience coolant leaks, engine overheating, or steam coming from under the hood indicating that the water pump requires service or replacement. You may also notice squeaking from the water pump pulley if the bearing has begun to fail, and if the pulley seems loose or wobbles while the engine is running, it could allow the belt to slip off or suffer damage. Water pump failure can quickly lead to overheating and engine damage, so it is best to diagnose and repair any water pump or cooling system issues before you continue to drive your vehicle to prevent more costly or severe problems. If you need a new water pump, shop O'Reilly Auto Parts for the right replacement cooling system components for your repair. We also carry the antifreeze, radiator hoses, and serpentine belts you might need to complete your water pump installation.