Numerous pumps are at work in modern cars. They ensure the smooth functioning of the engine and numerous systems. But how many pumps actually work in a car is often surprising. Find out now everything about pumps in cars, what their function is and where they are installed.

The pumps of a car at a glance:

• Coolant pump
• Oil pump
• Fuel pump
• High pressure pump
• Windscreen washer pump
• ABS pump
• Vacuum pump brake system
• Central locking pump
• Servo pump
• Level pump
• Circulation pump

What do the numerous pumps of a car take care of?

Coolant pump

The coolant pump or water pump ensures reliable cooling of internal combustion engines with water cooling. Here, the pump ensures the continuous circulation of the cooling water from the hot engine to the radiator at the front of the vehicle. The cooled cooling water is then transported back to the engine.

The heat exchanger of the heater is also integrated into the cooling circuit and has cooling water flowing through it via the radiator pump. If the coolant pump is defective, the necessary cooling of the engine is no longer guaranteed. Leaks can also lead to a loss of coolant.

Oil pump

The oil pump is one of the most important pumps in cars with a four-stroke internal combustion engine. Here, the oil pump ensures that all components of the engine are reliably supplied with engine oil. As the heart of the oil circuit, the oil pump draws in the lubricant from the engine’s oil sump and passes it on.

The pump pumps the oil through the oil filter and delivers it via lubrication channels to all important lubrication points. This ensures that the moving parts such as bearings, pistons or crankshaft are always lubricated. In addition, the engine oil and the oil circuit also serve to cool the engine components. If the oil pump is defective, engine damage can occur.

Fuel pump

A fuel pump ensures the constant supply of fuel to the combustion engine. Depending on the type of engine, this can be a petrol pump or a diesel pump. Both variants sometimes differ in their design, but have the same function. Fuel pumps are driven mechanically or electrically.

The fuel pump delivers fuel from the fuel tank to the vehicle’s engine. It either supplies the engine directly, for example in a model with a carburettor, or is used as a pre-feed pump. If the fuel pump is defective, the function of the engine is severely restricted or the engine does not work.

High pressure pump

In addition to the fuel pump, modern injection engines have an additional high-pressure pump. This is necessary because high pressure is required for direct fuel injection. This pump is often driven directly by the engine.

The pumps, also known as the high-pressure pump or injection pump, are usually found in the engine compartment. If the high-pressure pump is defective, symptoms such as poor starting behaviour, rough engine running or engine failure become apparent.

Windscreen washer pump

The windscreen washer pump is part of the car’s windscreen washer system. It helps to ensure a good view at all times. The component, which is also called a washer water pump or windscreen cleaning pump, pumps windscreen water from the reservoir onto the windscreen. In modern cars, it is an electrically driven pump.

In many vehicles, the pump is directly in the around a double pump that can separately supply the corresponding nozzles on the windscreen and rear window with fluid. If the windscreen washer pump is defective, it is no longer possible to clean the windscreen while driving.

ABS pump

An ABS pump is part of the brake system and is installed in vehicles with an anti-lock braking system. The component controls the function of the ABS system. It usually combines the pump with the motor, valves and an electronic control unit.

The ABS pump makes it possible to deliver the brake pressure in a metered or pulsating manner to the various brakes on the individual wheels. This keeps the vehicle steerable and prevents the wheels from locking. If the ABS pump fails, these interventions are no longer possible.

Vacuum pump

The brake system’s vacuum pump generates a vacuum that is needed to operate the brake booster. While some engines generate this vacuum themselves, diesel engines and modern petrol engines are increasingly fitted with this special pump.

When the engine is running, the pump generates a permanent vacuum, which, in conjunction with the brake booster, facilitates braking. If the vacuum pump of the brake system fails, the brake support provided by the brake booster is no longer available.

Central locking pump

A central locking system allows all vehicle doors to be closed or opened simultaneously. This function is often realised via electric actuators, but some systems work with negative pressure. In this case, a special pump for the central locking system is installed in the vehicle. It is electrically operated and generates the necessary vacuum.

The pump for the central locking system is usually an inconspicuous component. Depending on the model, the pump is also required for the comfort lock, the headlight adjustment or a lumbar support in the driver’s seat. If the central locking pump is defective, the functions are not available. The central locking system then only works sporadically or fails completely.

Servo pump

The power steering pump is the most important component of the power steering system. It is a hydraulic pump that provides the hydraulic pressure needed to operate the power steering system. For this purpose, the pump is driven directly by the vehicle’s engine, usually via a belt drive.

During operation, the servo pump constantly pumps hydraulic oil through the servo system. If required, the pressure generated is available for steering assistance via the hydraulic cylinder. If the servo pump is defective, the steering assistance fails and the steering becomes unusually sluggish.

Level pump

Many vehicle models have a level control for the chassis. Among other things, this makes it possible to select different chassis heights or chassis characteristics. The car’s load can also be compensated for thanks to the level control. Depending on the vehicle, hydraulic power or compressed air is used for the level control.

Both variants require a level pump to be able to adjust the chassis accordingly. Depending on the model, these pumps are driven via the camshaft, by belt drive or electrically. If level pumps in the car are defective or leak, the level control no longer functions as intended or fails completely.

Circulation pump

Some vehicle models have an electric circulation pump for the parking heater. This pump ensures that hot water flows through the components of the parking heater. The circulation pump is operated by means of electric current via the vehicle electrical system.

Due to its electric drive, the auxiliary heater pump works without the car’s engine running. This type of pump is also called a water circulation pump or an electric auxiliary water pump. If it is defective, the function of the parking heater fails.

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