Avoiding Cavitation in Engine Cooling Pumps

Cavitation occurs quite frequently in engine coolant pumps and can produce various problems, notably erosive wear on pump components, aeration of the coolant, excessive noise and vibration. This commonly results in failure of the pump’s seal, followed closely by bearing failure, leading to reduced engine cooling and ultimately failure of the pump itself. This article from Haldex Concentric sets out some basic design considerations that will significantly reduce the likelihood of cavitation occurring as well as the associated failure modes.