If the overheating problem was not resolved with the new radiator and thermostat then it is not safe to drive the car simply because overheating will damage the engine. If, however, the overheating problem was resolved with the installation of a new radiator and new thermostat, whether it is safe to drive it depends on how bad the leak at the water pump is. Water pumps will "weep" to some limited extent in normal operation but if the leak becomes significant, it’s time to replace the pump. So, the question may be how soon do you have to replace the water pump and that just depends on how significant the "weeping" from the pump weep hole is. The reason the timing belt was mentioned is because that belt often drives the water pump pulley and/or is in the vicinity of the pump so it is convenient to replace the belt while that area of the engine is opened up for service anyway. It’s sort of cheap insurance because timing belts do not last forever. If you would like a second opinion as to the condition of the water pump and the necessity of changing the timing belt, YourMechanic can dispatch a certified professional to conduct an inspection.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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The most common reasons a Honda Civic is overheating are a coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.), the radiator fan, or a failed thermostat. Coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.)
If it gets hot at all times, then it may have a clogged radiator, or more commonly a leaking head gasket. I would perform a block test prior to changing anything else. If that fails the test, then the engine will need to be disassembled and repaired. If it passes, then it may need a radiator.
Another way to check water pump operation:
Remove the radiator cap. Start the engine and allow it to reach operating temperature. As the thermostat opens, you`ll see the coolant circulating through the radiator opening; otherwise, the water pump isn`t working or there could be a radiator restriction.
Overheating can be caused by a: Cooling system leak – This is the most common cause for a car to overheat. The radiator, hoses, water pump, head gasket, and thermostat housing are all components of the cooling system, and all can be susceptible to leaks.
With the engine off, open your hood and locate the water pump pulley. With gloves on, grab it and wiggle it back and forth. There should be no movement, if there is, this along with the noise is a good indication you may have a water pump problem.
Overheating. A dead or dying water pump cannot circulate coolant through your vehicle`s engine and, as such, the engine will overheat. The hotter the engine gets the greater the chance of serious damage, including a cracked engine block and damage to the cylinders, pistons, and head gasket.
Steam comes out from under your hood
Finally, if you notice steam coming from the front of the engine when driving or stopping, this is an instant sign of the engine overheating.
Start your car`s engine and allow it to idle. Look through the radiator filler neck to see if the coolant flows. At this time, it should not be flowing as your car has not reached the operating temperature to cause the thermostat to open. If you find the coolant is flowing, it means the thermostat valve is open.
One way to check for proper coolant circulation is to check the upper and lower radiator hoses. The upper radiator hose should be hot, around 190–200 °F. (The safest and most accurate way to get this temperature reading is with an infrared thermometer.)
Irregular Operating Temperatures One of the most prevalent symptoms of thermostat failure is irregular operating temperatures. A stuck closed thermostat will cause engine temperatures to skyrocket, while a stuck open thermostat will cause an engine to run cool.
Stock Honda thermostats are designed to fully open around 185 – 195 degrees depending on model and/or engine. Many “performance” thermostats are designed to open around 160 degrees.
Radiators are comprised of long tubes through which coolant circulates. The primary cause of an overheating radiator is debris and sediment building up inside the tubes and causing a blockage. This then means that coolant cannot pass through, causing the radiator and subsequently the engine to overheat.
Common problems include overheating, leakage, low water pressure, noisy operation, and cavitation. These problems can be prevented or fixed by regular maintenance, inspection, and replacement of worn-out parts.
The water pump is one of the vehicle components that may never require replacement if your vehicle is well-taken care of. You can own a car for over 15 years and never have to replace the water pump. That`s not to say that it can`t develop a problem.
The pump may not leak coolant, but the pump mechanism itself may have failed. Over time the fins of the pump can actually wear down to the point where they are no longer moving coolant. Cavitation can eat away at the metal pump vanes and pump surfaces.
The water pump moves the coolant through the system and the thermostat regulates this flow to maintain operating temperature. If the water pump has failed, the coolant will not flow through the system so the temperature will rise quickly and the heat will be concentrated on the engine.
The water pump, often referred to as the coolant pump, circulates liquid coolant through the radiator and engine cooling system, and is powered by the engine itself. It ensures that the engine temperature is maintained at a safe level while operating.
Engine Overheating
A failing water pump will cause your engine to heat up, and that`s not a good thing. To prevent catastrophic engine failure, look for these signs of an overheated engine due to water pump failure, including: A fluctuating temperature gauge.
Most centrifugal pumps can handle water temperatures up to 250 F. At temperatures above 300 F, pumps and piping systems start to expand dramatically. The American Petroleum Institute (API) Standard 610 recommends that pumps in this temperature range and above should be designed with centerline-supported casing.
Two types of high temperature pumps are available, namely 195 °F (95 °C) and 220 °F (105 °C) versions.
The engine will overheat if the radiator is clogged. The engine`s working temperature should be around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. When it reaches above this temperature, the coolants will no longer be able to absorb the heat properly, leading to an overheated engine.
If there is no pressure in the cooling system, the coolant will boil off.
The thermostat, located between the radiator and the engine, ensures the coolant stays below a specific temperature. If the temperature of the coolant falls below a certain temperature, the thermostat closes the passage blocking the flow of coolant to the radiator and sends it back to the engine.
If the thermostat goes down, the system will not know when to release fluid into the radiator, and if the water pump fails, the system will not have the pressure necessary to circulate the coolant. If either of these things happens, the radiator will not work as designed.
