Your car will generate a tremendous amount of heat over the course of its operation, and a variety of components have been developed to help mitigate this potentially dangerous buildup of heat. In particular, your car's cooling system requires a mixture of water and coolant to keep it functioning correctly. To circulate the mixture throughout the engine, a water pump is required, but this device can fail. When it malfunctions, your car can experience major damage, and you may have a couple of questions you need answered about these essential components of the car. 

How Can You Tell If Your Car's Water Pump Is Malfunctioning?

Most people lack the experience needed to easily determine the source of the problem when their cars start to encounter problems. As a result, they may not be able to easily determine the component of the car that is experiencing problems. Fortunately, there are signs that you can look for to determine whether or not the water pump is the source of the issue. 

The most common symptom of this issue is an engine that is constantly overheating. Whether you are at a stop light or driving at low speeds, this type of overheating can place tremendous wear on your vehicle if it is not quickly repaired. Another routine symptom may be a failing air conditioner. As the engine overheats, the air conditioner will be unable to remove enough heat to cool the cabin. 

Is Low Water Always A Sign Of A Leak?

Many people may go to check the water level in the pump and notice that it is extremely low. It may seem logical to assume that this means the system is suffering from a leak, but this is not always the case. When the engine gets extremely hot, some of the water vapor will escape through the seals in the engine. As long as the decrease in water is not particularly excessive, you should not be too concerned about this problem. 

However, if you find that you are needing to regularly add water to the reservoir, it is important to take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible. When a substantial leak forms in the seals or pipes in this system, it will only worsen until you have it repaired. Eventually, the combination of overheating and low water will cause your engine to fail, which can result in far more expensive repairs. 

When your car's water pump starts to fail, you must have it addressed as quickly as possible. However, if you do not fully understand this part of your car, you may not know how to handle these situations, but after learning these two common questions and answers, you will be far better prepared to protect your car from the worst effects of a faulty water pump. To find out more, contact a company like Steve's Radiator Service.