Can a water pump make a car overheat?

Yes, absolutely! A faulty water pump can definitely cause a car to overheat. The water pump is like the heart of your car's cooling system - it's responsible for circulating coolant through the engine to keep everything at the right temperature. When the water pump fails, coolant stops flowing properly, which means heat can't be carried away from the engine. This can lead to overheating pretty quickly, especially when you're driving or the engine is working hard. Common signs of water pump problems include coolant leaks, unusual noises from the pump area, or the engine temperature gauge climbing higher than normal. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's best to get it checked out before you end up stranded with an overheated engine!