Mechanics replaced water pump but did not replace the thermostat. Engine overheated and blew the head gasket? 2010 Jeep Compass
Brought a 2010 Jeep Compass in due to noise coming from the engine. The mechanic stated that the Water Pump was going out and needed to be replaced and that the oil pan had a leak and also needed to be replaced. When complete we drove off in the car and a half a mile down the road the car over heated and started spouting out fluid all over the engine. The mechanics checked again and stated that the thermostat wasn't replaced and that was the issue. When they performed a Block test they found that the head gasket was blown. I am told that the thermostat should have been checked and most lik
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Hello – this is a judgement call. It is common practice, but not a "standard", to replace the thermostat when replacing the water pump. This is mainly due to access to both easily when replacing either one, and the relatively low cost of a thermostat. Thermostats do not have "wearing" items like the bearings in a water pump, and can outlast a water pump. They can, and do, however, fail unpredictably (close down tight) – sometimes. I have experienced this personally. I encourage my friends, relatives, students, and customers to replace both when repairing either – save the labor cost of a 2nd repair, and the somewhat unusual cost you have sadly experienced.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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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.
It is a common practice to also replace the vehicle`s thermostat when doing a water pump replacement. It is not always needed, but if you suspect that your engine got hot when the water pump failed, it`s a good idea to take care of it.
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.
Tip: The thermostat is a small, metal, heat-sensitive valve (see Figure 11-4) that`s usually located where the upper radiator hose meets the top of the engine. (On a few vehicles, you find the thermostat where the bottom hose joins the engine. Your owner`s manual should tell you where yours is.)
Faulty Thermostat
Once the engine reaches operating temperature, the valve will open and coolant will begin to flow through the engine. A faulty thermostat might remain closed even when the engine is hot, which can quickly lead to overheating.
Overheating can cause serious damage to the valve as well as the thermostat housing and the hoses and gaskets that are a part of your car`s cooling system. Excessive heat can cause things like hoses, gaskets and even metal thermostat housings to warp and lose their original shape.
Replace the fan, pulley, radiator shroud (if so equipped) and drive belts. Adjust all belts to the proper tension, and fill the system with a 50/50 antifreeze/water mixture. Reconnect the battery ground cable, start the vehicle and check for leaks.
Before installing a water pump it will be especially important to flush, drain and refill the cooling system with the OE (original equipment) specified coolant mix.
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.
Yes, always replace the thermostat whenever you are working in that system. Buildup from the water will jam the release spring and cause it to stay either open or closed.
Thermostats for Heat Pump – How They Work!
Its basic function is based on temperature. When the temperature indoors falls below the set number, the thermostat will turn the heat pump on. The heat pump is switched off once the set temperature is reached and your home is heated to suit you.
Hot water thermostats (cylinder thermostats)
The thermostat prevents the cylinder becoming hotter than it needs to be. Once the water has reached the set temperature, the heat supply from the boiler will be turned off. Turning the thermostat higher will not make the water heat up any faster.
Thermostat failure can be caused by contaminated fluid or simply an old thermostat with weakened springs. Contamination happens when incompatible coolants are mixed, old coolant is not changed as recommended or particulate matter from gaskets or elsewhere breaks off.
A bad car thermostat can result in overheating and heater insufficiency. While these don`t seem serious, these symptoms of a bad thermostat can lead to permanent engine damage due to excessive heat – such as seal breakages, cracked elements, and engine detonation.
An improper seating, damaged seal, or misaligned gasket can mean the water pump is not operating efficiently or, worse, is under undue stress from misalignment. Improper installation will likely also cause immediate leakage from the mounting surface.
During the course of water pump replacement, it`s possible for even the most experienced tech to make a mistake that will lead to premature pump failure.
However, a good rule of thumb is to replace your pump parts every 90 days. With that said, keep in mind that worn-out breast pump parts are one of the main causes of low milk supply. This is because parts can wear down over time, which can result in a loss of suction when pumping.
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 main purpose of a water pump in its life is to run coolant through an engine to cool it down. If the water pump cannot do this, the engine may overheat. Regardless of the cause, engine overheating is not a problem to be solved.
The water pump pushes coolant from the radiator through the coolant system, into the engine and back around to the radiator. The heat that the coolant picked up from the engine is transferred to the air at the radiator. Without the water pump, the coolant just sits in the system.
TOM: But taking out the thermostat can actually do quite a bit of damage on a modern car. Most cars now have computers, which constantly monitor the engine temperature and adjust things accordingly. If the computer thinks the engine is cold–and it WILL be cold without a thermostat–it`ll richen the fuel mixture.
To do so, locate your home`s thermostat and tape an accurate thermometer on the wall next to it. Wait 15 minutes and check the temperature reading on both devices. If your readings are three or fewer degrees apart, you should be good to go.
Oftentimes when the thermostat fails, it remains in its closed position. As the engine overheats, coolant will overflow out of the thermostat housing. This means that coolant leaking out of your engine could be a sign that your thermostat has gone bad.
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.)
Relevant Questions and Answers :
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Mechanics replaced water pump but did not replace the thermostat. Engine overheated and blew the head gasket? 2010 Jeep Compass
ANSWER : Hello – this is a judgement call. It is common practice, but not a "standard", to replace the thermostat when replacing the water pump. This is mainly due to access to both easily when replacing either one, and the relatively low cost of a thermostat. Thermostats do not have "wearing" items like the bearings in a water pump, and can outlast a water pump. They can, and do, however, fail unpredictably (close down tight) – sometimes. I have experienced this personally. I encourage my friends, relatives, students, and customers to replace both when repairing either – save the labor cost of a 2nd repair, and the somewhat unusual cost you have sadly experienced.
My water pump is leaking but I replaced timing belt and pump a year ago. Can I just replace the water pump this time?
ANSWER : Hello. You can just replace the water pump in this case. Although, the cost of just the timing belt is fairly negligible in comparison to the total labor of the job. My estimator says the water pump is a 6.5 hour job. Multiply that by whatever the shop rate is and you have the total labor without parts. You end up saving about $100 or less on parts if you only replace the pump.
The deciding factor will be the condition of the timing belt. If it has problems, you won’t be saving yourself any money by reusing it. In addition, there are seals and pulleys that may need to be replaced as well.
Assuming all the related parts were replaced the first time around, there isn’t a reason you can’t reuse them. I would say you should weigh the savings of reusing them against the actual condition of the parts. This is best determined after a complete disassembly. Keep in mind, time estimates will vary a bit depending on many factors. Either way, the labor is the largest cost.
If you would like to have the water pump replaced, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to perform this service at your convenience.
Can a jeep run and drive without a water pump??
ANSWER : Driving or running the engine without the water pump working to circulate the coolant through the motor will cause the motor to overheat and may damage the engine costing thousands of dollars versus using a tow truck to take the vehicle to the shop that will cost a lot less. I would not recommend running the engine more than a few minutes at a time or you will overheat it.
my car is overheating, after replacing the thermostat. Is it the head gasket or water pump?
ANSWER : Hi there. Based on what you’ve described, I would suspect that the root issue is the heater core; especially if you turn on the heater and you’re getting cool air and not hot air. When there is an obstruction of debris or sludge in the heater core, the engine will overheat rather quickly. However, it is also possible that the water pump is not flowing coolant efficiently as well. A damaged head gasket is the result of an overheating situation and not always the source of the issue. It’s probably best to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is overheating inspection, so they an identify the source of this problem and recommend the right repairs.
I have a 2010 camry. I just recently replaced the engine with a 2014 camry engine. Now I have Four engine lights on. I replaced on
ANSWER : If you swapped the engine from a vehicle that is 4 years newer than the car is then you are going to have electrical and sensor incompatibilities that may not be able to be fixed by just a few sensor replacements. There were many changes in computer and emission related items between 2010 and 2014 engines. I would recommend having a mechanic like one from YourMechanic come to you and compare the two engines to isolate the possible differences and see if the problem can be fixed.
My car still overheats, I replaced water pump and thermostat, and now after water pump install it knocks bad
ANSWER : Hi there:
Trying to diagnose an overheating issue remotely is incredibly difficult. However, there are three things you can do to attempt to solve this issue. First, remove the water pump, verify it’s the right replacement part and reinstall with new gaskets. Second, flush the radiator coolant fully, as the issue could be caused by an obstruction inside the heater core or other coolant lines. Third, make sure to check all electrical connections to the radiator sensors and components. If you check and complete all three of those tasks, and you still have overheating problems, contact a professional mobile mechanic to complete a car is overheating inspection.
Intake manifold came off replaced gaskets new water pump thermostat and put in barred leak still overheats
ANSWER : Hi there. Have you checked to see if the fans are coming on? Do they achieve both normal and high speed? Is there any noise or abnormal operation? There could also be an air pocket in the cooling system, or the thermostat installed backwards (it does happen). Does the engine boil over? Check the actual temperature of the engine with an infrared thermometer temperature gun and compare the readings to the combination meter gauge. The gauge or sensor could be inaccurate. I strongly suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several technicians available that can assist you with a car is overheating inspection.
I have a 00 deville I just changed the water pump housing and water pump the thermostat and radiator the upper and lower radiator 2000 Cadillac De Ville
ANSWER : Hi there – I suspect your radiator is clogged or otherwise corroded so that it is not shedding heat as efficiently as it should. Idling with the heater on was getting rid of heat without loading the radiator. When you’re driving, the engine is generating more heat than both the heater and radiator can get rid of. Checking the difference between hot coolant going to the radiator (top hose), and going back into the engine (bottom hose) may show that there is very little temperature difference. This means the radiator is not doing it’s job, and need to be professionally cleaned or replaced. Good diagnostic effort on your part to avoid the obvious "it’s another Northstar head gasket" diagnosis! For confirmation, I would recommend an overheating inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
