The water pump is the "heart" of your vehicle's cooling system. It is a belt-driven or chain-driven component that sits on the engine, responsible for the constant circulation of coolant. As the engine runs, an internal impeller spins to push coolant through the engine block, cylinder head, and out to the radiator to dissipate heat. In South Africa’s demanding climate, where engines are often subjected to high ambient temperatures and heavy traffic, a functional water pump is the only thing preventing your engine from quite literally melting itself down.
The water pump is a belt or chain-driven engine accessory bolted to the engine above the crankshaft pulley. The pump housing has an impeller that circulates engine coolant through the cooling system passageways in the engine block and cylinder head, onto the radiator, where the coolant temperature is reduced. . The lower temperature coolant then flows back to the water inlet on the engine and the water pump continues the cycle. No. Should the water pump only leak a little bit, you can drive the car. However, a small leak could suddenly enlarge or the pump bearing might unexpectedly seize. Either circumstance would likely cause engine overheating. If a defective water pump causes the overheating, it is not safe to drive because of the damage to the engine.