is my water pump out on my dodge neon it keeps overheating?

Answer 1

the most likely cause is that you need a new thermostat

Answer 2

Overheating can be caused by a lot more then the water pump being shot... for example:

1) Blown head gaskets or a cracked head or block will allow exhaust gases into the cooling system which will overheat it quickly with even the best water pump in the world.

2) A clogged or leaky cooling system/radiator will restrict the flow or reduce the coolant to where it is inadequate to provide cooling

3) A blocked radiator (that newspaper or plastic bag you ran over a few weeks ago?) will prevent cold air from passing thru the radiator

4) Low water levels ?

5) A stuck thermostat will reduce the circulation on your system and allow it to overheat.

6) How about those fan belts that turn everything? Do they slip or are they worn and cracked?

7) Water pump.. when they go they go loudly and with a lot of wobbling.... water will also start coming out of a hole near the shaft which is there for exactly that reason. Hows it look? Does the pully wobble or grind ? a YES on these and you were right... time for a new pump.

Some of these you can quickly check

a) Check your water level
b) Warm up the car with the radiator cap off and look for exhaust gasses in the water (you will be able to smell and see them)
c) If the level is down, check to see if you can observe water FLOW... with the level down about to just below the return hose you should see a steady and solid flow.
d) Check your fan and fan belt(s).
e) Check your hoses for leaks (park it on a dry surface and run the car for about 15 minutes... check for leaks - turn it off and check it again in 30 minutes).

If, you do all this and get no real solution, its time to visit Mr. Mechanic...


good luck....

.

Answer 3

It could be bad, but it could also be a number of other things. When the car is running (at idle) stand in front of it and listen for a "howling" noise. If you hear it, then chances are, the bearings in your water pump are going. If they are, get it to a mechanic right away cuz if that pump seizes up, your timing belt will shred and you will need a new/rebuilt head because Neons are "interference motors," meaning that if the belt snaps, the valves will come in contact with the pistons causing them to bend and your garage bill will go from about 300 bucks to 1500 bucks in a split second. Auto parts stores sell dye that you can put into the coolant and then lay a sheet of cardboard underneath the car and let it idle for a while and look at the cardboard for leaks. If you see the color of the dye on the cardboard, then chances are you have a coolant leak somewhere. Either the pump, head, radiator, or hoses are leaking. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Aww man!!! I had a dodge neon that kept overheating. There were a few problems...

The head gasket was warped and caused my car to run hard -overheating

The radiator was leaking, thus there wasn't always enough fluid to cool my car... (with this you'll notice a sharp, sweet, but pungent smell and you might see liquid on the car after you park; unless you're leaking that much fluid or only leaking when you drive - a small hole)

But it could be your water pump too.

Consider a diagnostic; they're usually not that expensive depending where you go.

If you go to a dealer/mechanic... go with things you think it might be that you've researched a little about, so you can at least sound like you can't be taken advantage of.



Good luck!

Answer 5

There can be many other things that cause you car to overheat. I would suggest to start with the thermostat. check that your fan works. Make sure you have enought fluid in your radiator. If none of that works then it probably is your water pump and whatever you do don't drive it like that because if you overheat it too many times you might blow a head gasket or even warp the heads....good luck, i hope this helps.

Answer 6

Could be the water pump, could be the thermostat, could be a number of things. An engine that keeps overheating is likely to destroy itself soon, so take it to a mechanic at once!

Answer 7

First make sure your cooling fan come on.... make sure your coolant level is good. If the cooling fan dose come on and it still overheats then change your thermostat. With a new thermostat in and the car running.... have the radiator cap off..... loook in the radiator and you should see the coolant flowing....if it isnt and the car is warmed up then the water pump is bad.

Answer 8

i imagine you've a leak on your cooling device. that is going to be stress examined through a qualified mechanic. The water pump pulley itself is perhaps ok. On many automobiles, the serpantine belt that drives the water pump has a tensioner that retains proper rigidity on the belt. .The tensioner would properly be making noise, or the belt would properly be slipping, which could make a squealing noise. In eaither case, the tensioner would want replace.

Answer 9

If steam is not shooting out of your hood, the water pump is fine. Check the radiator and engine for coolant leaks and check the thermostat. If that's not it, then one of your hoses has a clog.

Answer 10

IF the coolant level is low, the waterpump may be bad, they usually leak coolant when their bad. If level is OK i would suspect a bad thermostat or cooling fan first, worst case scenario would be a bad headgasket

Answer 11

Could be. But that would usually give other symptoms.

Also consider right mixture of anti-freeze and correct thermostat.

On most cars consider the operation of an electric fan.