Water-cooled engines use a water pump to circulate coolant throughout the engine. The coolant is responsible for removing heat from components to help reduce wear and maintain an optimal temperature.

Various defects and malfunctions can cause your car to overheat, including a damaged or worn-out water pump. If your engine does overheat, you'll likely experience a handful of symptoms.

a thermostat valve that opens when the desired operating temperature is reached and a water pump (or coolant pump) to circulate coolant through the engine, hoses and other components. Most ...