Water pump

dlk

For someone who's more mechanical than me.

My water coolant warning light keeps coming on despite topping it up. I took it to the garage thinking they must be a leek but apparently its the water pump that needs replacing.

I was thinking of replacing the car soon anyway so wondered if I could expect to continue using the car for maybe 3 or 4 weeks while deciding on a car and then trading it in? Is it dangerous at all or likely to cause other issues if ignored for a short time while doing very low mileage? It will save me the £307 quote if it can wait just until I find the new car.

Nobbie1967

You can probably keep nursing it along, but the leak will get worse and may get to the stage where the pump is no longer working effectively and the engine will overheat. This could cause serious damage to the engine. Unless you know what you are doing, it’s probably not worth the risk.

ElephantBoy57

No, don't risk it.

If its the sort that is changed when the timing belt is changed, change that too and then it's a positive when you trade it in.

dlk

Yes it is the type where the timing belt is changed at the same time but for a car thats worth about 2k I'm just reluctant to spend £307 on it. 

If I drive and keep an eye on the temperature gauge what level would be a good idea to stop and let the engine cool for a while? I'm working from home at the moment so only doing about 20 miles a week at the moment and all short journeys so hoping I can drag it out for a couple of weeks until deciding for definite on the new car

foxy-stoat

If it lets go then your car will be worth scrap money (£150) and you will be without a car - if you spend £300 on it then you can drive and and trade it in for £2,000.

Good lucks, you will need it.

Homer_home

If it's only a small leak then you will be fine to drive it for a few weeks as long as you keep an eye on the temp gauge and top it up 

Try not to listen to all the doom mongers who have replied so far , like you say if you notice the temp gauge going into the red simply pull over and let your engine cool down 

My ex had the same issue , she was driving around for a year with a coolant leak with no ill effects apart from having to stop from time to time to top the coolant up 

AdrianC

When you say the light "keeps coming on", is it a temperature light or a level light? Is the level in the tank down? Is there any external sign of a leak...?