Water Pump
Q: How can I tell when my water pump is going to fail?
A: Every water pump has something called a weep hole. Normally the weep hole is sealed by a gasket, but as the water pump begins to wear, the gasket will erode. As a result coolant will begin to dribble out of the hole. This is very serious and indicative that the water pump is no longer able to do its job. If coolant should leak out of this hole while the engine is idling, you're best course of action is to head to the closest mechanic immediately. You risk overheating your engine and doing irreparable damage to it otherwise.
Water Pump
The water pump operates on centrifugal force. In the center hollow of the pump is the axle on the inside of the pump, connected to a series of vanes, which turn along with the axle. This turning motion creates suction, pulling water from the radiator. The water reaches the pump and is thrown against the exterior walls of the pump by the power of the vanes which are generating the centrifugal force. As the water circles against the outer wall, it presses down a drain, which sends the water into the engine block. From there it passes into the cylinder heads, and drains back into the radiator for the process to repeat itself.
