Can You Drive A Car With Bad Water Pump?

(Last Updated On: February 13, 2023)

There are many questions people ask about their vehicles. You also want to know that you can drive a car with bad water pump.

Before driving, we always check fuel whether our vehicle has enough fuel to reach its destination. But surprisingly, fuel is not the only thing we need to check before starting our journey.

Water coolant level also plays an important role in reaching your destination. If you understand how a water pump works for your car, you can easily assess whether you can drive a car with bad water pump.

So, in this article, we`ll discuss how a water pump works for your car. Can you drive a car with bad water pump?

Signs of a failing water pump, cost of replacing a bad water pump, and temporary fixing of a bad water pump.

How Does A Water Pump Work For Your Car?

To understand how a water pump works for your car and whether can you drive with a bad water pump. Let’s take an example of the human body.

Our body contains 60% water, and our blood is approximately 90% water. This water plays an important role in performing daily life activities.

Similarly, your vehicle cooling system plays an important role in good functioning. When your coolant level is low, it means you have a bad water pump.

The normal temperature range for your car engine to work efficiently is 195 to 225 degrees. For instance, your engine will shut down or burst if the temperature goes too high.

Your car’s water pump prevents this overheating and keeps your engine working normally.

So, the water pump is a crucial part of your vehicle. The main function of the water pump is to pump coolant liquid around your engine. That liquid absorbs all the unnecessary heat.

This pumping of liquid around your engine helps to maintain the optimum temperature. This pump does not supply coolant around your engine. Moreover, it also ensures the liquid passes through the radiator and hoses.

The coolant liquid, in most cases, is water, and coolant liquid starts its journey from the radiator and the radiator to the other parts of the machine and then back to the radiator.

A damaged water pump means all the parts that need to be prevented from overheating are in danger.

You may drive with a bad water pump, but it could be risky. I will never suggest you drive with a bad water pump. You can not cover long distances with a bad water pump.

Depending on your water pump condition, you can sometimes not even drive.

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Can You Drive A Car With Bad Water Pump? | SIX Elements

Now, we know how a water pump works for a vehicle and how it is crucial for a car. You must know the answer to your question can you drive a car with bad water pump?

If you think you can not drive, let me correct you here.

Yes, you can travel but only at short distances. Because for long distance it can cost you an expensive repair.

Driving long distances in an overheated car can destroy your machine, and repairing a destroyed machine can cost you more than buying a new machine.

Can You Cover Long Distances With A Bad Water Pump?

When you start your engine, it heats up to drive. It is the function of a water pump (coolant system) not to let your vehicle overheat. I recommend you cool down your overheated car and go to the nearest mechanic.

Sometimes, you can’t find the nearest mechanic, and what to do in that case? Can you drive a car with bad water pump? In this case, you must know how far your car can go.

This next travel with a bad water pump depends on different elements. If you know these elements and can calculate, you may drive your car until you find a mechanic.

To help you calculate how far your car can take you with a bad water pump, I am sharing all the elements below:

Your Vehicle Model

Your vehicle model or make year helps you make many decisions when your car is out of order, and driving with a bad water pump is one of them.

If you have an old car, you definitely, got some extra time to reach the mechanic.

Old manufactured cars have more powerful machinery and components as compared to the new-coming cars. Vehicles manufactured before the 2000s have a piece of good machinery.

They can take you for a long distance with a bad water pump. But new cars with bad coolant systems will only let you cover a little distance.

Distance covered without water.

Depending upon the damage’s degree, you can estimate how long your vehicle can go. It is estimated that you can cover up to 20 miles.

This covering of 20 miles also depends upon the time frame (like at what time of the day you are traveling) and road terrain (whether it’s a canyon, desert, forest, hilly, marshy, oasis, or valley).

If you are traveling on a sloppy road downward, your engine takes time to heat up, and you can easily cover a long distance.

But if the terrain is not smooth, there comes stress on the engine, and you got nothing to cool your engine. It will heat up faster than usual. In such conditions, you can not cover long distances.

Climate

The higher the temperature, the lesser distance you will be covering. For instance, if it’s the start of your day or later in the evening (when the temperature is low out there), you may cover more than 20 miles.

But in summer, when most of the day is hot, you need to find a mechanic as soon as possible.

The ideal time for such travel is considered early morning. When the sun is fully bright in the afternoon, your overheating can expedite with high temperatures.

I suggest you always use an antifreeze liquid as a coolant agent.

Otherwise, when the temperature is below freezing point in winter, you may also have a problem while driving. The optimum temperature for traveling in a car with a bad water pump is 233.6 Fahrenheit.

This condition only applies when you do not want an expensive repair.

Monitoring Car Cooling System

Another element that helps you assess whether you can go for long distances with a bad water pump is monitoring your coolant system at regular intervals. You can check your coolant system after two or three miles.

If you notice your engine can not take the stress and is getting overheated, you must immediately stop driving. In this case, you are only left with two options.

The first one is to look for a towing car or vehicle so that you can reach the mechanic.

The second option is to wait for your car o cool down so you can cover the distance to your mechanic. The second strategy could be tricky as it can destroy most of your cooling system and cost you a lot.

You must consider the first option if your car can only take you for a short distance.

Red Check Engine Light

You might have seen a red check engine light on your dashboard panel. The basic function of the red check engine light is to keep you informed about your vehicle’s engine health.

It enlightens when your car engine is in serious trouble.

Nothing to worry about your engine if the light is not active. Once the red check engine light is on, you must stop your vehicle immediately; otherwise, the outcomes could cost you a lot.

In Use Components

Including all the above factors, in-use components of your vehicle can stress your engine also. For instance, your car’s air conditioning system stresses your cooling system.

On the other hand, turning your car seater on can help your car maintain its optimum temperature. So, if you have decided to drive a car with a bad water pump, please turn your air conditioner off.

Before you decide to drive a car with a bad water pump, calculations based on these six elements will help you to make a fair decision.

But I will recommend you look for a towing vehicle to reach the nearest mechanic.

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How Can You Know Water Pump Is Failing? | 5 Signs

Whenever a machine or a part of the machine fails, it gives you some signs. These signs help you a lot in decision-making about your machine. Here, I am sharing 5 initial signs of a bad water pump.

These initial signs will tell you that you have a bad water pump and whether can you drive a car with bad water pump.

Overheating or Smoking

Smoking results in overheating. Your car engine is overheated when the water pump can not supply coolant. In this case, your temperature rises, and you notice smoke emitting under the hood.

If you notice smoke emissions, it is the worst plan to restart your car and go to the nearest mechanic. This act can badly destroy your car’s machinery and cost you an expensive repair.

The smoke could be bright or dark in color. Unfortunately, both colors are a sign of a bad water pump. It also indicates that your fan is not working. In the case of smoke emission, wait for a towing vehicle to reach the nearest mechanic.

Coolant Leakage

Coolant leakage is another significant sign that you have a bad water pump. Usually, you can not notice a coolant leakage while driving. But if you park your car for a while and see a colorful liquid on the ground. This colored liquid on the ground shows you have a leakage in your water pump.

Whining Noise

Suppose you notice any unusual sound coming from under the hood while driving. It’s telling you that your pump’s pully system is too loose to work. You might hear your car whining, squeaking, or grinding.

Abnormal Temperature Gauge

A temperature gauge in a car keeps you informed about the proper function of the water pump. As soon as the water pump fails, it starts behaving abnormally. The needle keeps moving back and forth, showing that you need to check your water pump.

Activation of Red Check Engine Light

Suppose you have successfully ignored all the above 4 signs. Your car will give you an ultimate sign and turn the red check engine light ON.

Once it is turned ON, you need to do something about your bad water pump unless you want a costly repair.

These are the 5 most common signs a car will show you whenever you have a bad water pump. You must decide to look for a towing vehicle.  

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How Much Does It Costs To Replace A Bad Water Pump?

You must replace your bad water pump immediately if it is out of order. The cost of replacing a bad water pump depends on your vehicle type and whether you are doing it by yourself or a professional.

For a rough estimate, you may have to spend up to $800. The parts can cost you between $200 and $400; the rest is labor. Getting your water pump replaced by a professional could cost you a bit, but it is the right option.

How Can You Temporarily Fix Your Bad Water Pump?

Can you drive a car with bad water pump? Driving a car with bad water pump is not a good decision. Better if you look for a towing vehicle.

But if your water pump has a leakage stop, you can repair it temporarily. Still, the ultimate solution is finding a mechanic.

To fix the leakage of your coolant system, you may require STOP LEAKING PRODUCTS. Just pour STOP LEAKING LIQUID in the radiator right in front of your engine. The liquid runs through your water pump or completely seals the leakage.

Conclusion

Before you ask, can you drive a car with bad water pump? Keep in mind that this driving can cost you up to $1000.

A water pump has an anti-freeze liquid that flows through the radiator around your car engine. This liquid helps your car to maintain the optimum temperature.

Driving with a bad water pump has never been a good idea. It is said that “Prevention is better than cure.” Sometimes you can’t find a mechanic as soon as your water pump is failed.

By doing some calculations based on your car model, road terrain, and time frame, you can easily assess how long you can go to search for a mechanic.

Keep checking your red check engine light. If it is turned ON, stop your vehicle immediately. You can wait for a towing vehicle to take you to the nearest mechanic.

Otherwise, things could get worse, and you can go for a costly repair.

FAQs | Can You Drive A Car With Bad Water Pump?

Can A Bad Water Pump Destroy My Engine?

Yes, a bad water pump can easily destroy your engine. It is not wise to drive when you have a bad water pump in your car. Overheating is caused by a bad water pump, and this overheating can destroy the pistons, cylinders, and engine block.

Can I Replace My Bad Water Pump?

If you are a DIY driver, replacing a water pump is easier. You can buy the parts of the water pumps and can replace them on your own. In this way, you can save up to $500. But if you are not confident, the best option is to look for a mechanic.

How Can I Know My Water Pump Is Not Working?

Whenever your water pump is not working properly, it alarms you by showing 5 signs. These 5 signs include overheating, coolant leakage, whining noise, abnormal temperature gauge, and activated red check engine light.