Water pump repair kit, brand METELLI Fiat 126 BIS

Water pump repair kit, brand METELLI:

This product fits the following models:

• Fiat 126 BIS

The company METELLI was founded in 1962 initially as a simple workshop and then transformed through the acquisition of other companies, first into a manufacturer of engine parts and finally into a supplier of brakes and hydraulic components, water pumps, gearbox and engine parts. Currently, the METELLI range comprises over 13,000 parts, distributed across six brands, which are sold in 90 countries.

The Water Pump / Coolant Pump

The term "water pump" is rarely used in modern automotive construction; the correct technical term today is "coolant pump." However, in colloquial usage, "water pump" is still quite common.

In all vehicles with an internal combustion engine, high temperatures are generated by the combustion of fuel in the ignition chambers of the cylinder head. If this heat is not dissipated from the cylinder head, temperatures could rise uncontrollably, leading to overheating of engine parts and potential damage. Seals (such as the cylinder head gasket) can literally burn, resulting in leaks and severe damage to the engine.

The task of the water pump / coolant pump is to pump a coolant through a system of channels and hoses to remove the high temperatures from the areas where they originate. Water is usually used as a coolant, with antifreeze added (in our latitudes) to prevent freezing during extended periods of low temperatures in the cooling circuit, which could cause damage.

The water pump is integrated into the cooling circuit and, through its pumping action, ensures that the water circulates—from the hot spots of the engine, where it absorbs high temperatures, to the radiator, where it releases the absorbed heat to the environment. From the radiator, the coolant then flows back towards the engine. The pumping action of the water pump is achieved by integrating the water pump with its, simplistically speaking, impeller in the cooling circuit. The impeller is set in motion—either electrically or mechanically—and the coolant transport begins.

A water pump is a wear and tear part, but usually a very durable one that can easily outlast the lifespan of the connected vehicle without issues, unlike, for example, the clutch. Common problems with the water pump often have an external cause, such as a too loose or broken drive belt or, in the case of electric water pumps, a disrupted power supply. If defects occur in the water pump itself, they can manifest as leaks, grinding noises, or excessively high temperatures in the cooling circuit.

Without a functioning coolant pump, for whatever reason, the engine must not be operated. Severe engine damage would be the consequence.