How a Water Pump Motor Works

What is a Water Pump Motor?

A water pump motor is a device integral to the cooling of any motor powered vehicle. Because internal combustion engines are not largely energy efficient, a great deal of the energy produced by the engine's working is lost in the form of heat. This heat radiates outward, building within the vehicle's engine block until it begins to warp and destroy the engine. A water pump motor is designed to prevent this by dissipating the heat.

Structure of a Water Pump Motor

A water pump motor is a disc shaped, conical device made of hard-wearing steel and aluminum. It's hollow, containing a circular interior chamber with a series of paddle-like protrusions extending from a central spindle. The water pump motor usually sits near the front of the car's engine, bolted into place either against the engine or the engine mounting. Hoses connect the water pump motor to the radiator as well as to a network of pipes running in a closed circuit through the engine itself. The central spindle extends out from the closed interior of the water pump motor to connect by means of a fan belt to the engine's output.

How Does a Water Pump Motor Work?

When the engine is running, it turns the fan belt, which in turn causes the spindle on the water pump motor to spin. This causes the paddles connected to the spindle to turn within the confines of the pump motor. These paddles generate suction by means of centrifugal force, pulling in water from the radiator to the pump and pushing it out through the pipes running a circuit through the engine. The water running through the pipes helps to absorb the heat created by the engine. So heated, the water then passes to the radiator, where it's air cooled as it passes through the radiator's vanes. It continues on back to the water pump motor to repeat the process continuously.