Why is the tool called water pump pliers?

[Bimmerguy2002]

In the tool kit....

What car would you use them on to work on a water pump
They are channel locks....
Channel locks and adjustable wrenches are the worst tools you can ever use anyhow, they are good for rounding off a bolt head in no time flat.

[Mark 88/M5 Houston]

In the tool kit....

What car would you use them on to work on a water pump
They are channel locks....
Channel locks and adjustable wrenches are the worst tools you can ever use anyhow, they are good for rounding off a bolt head in no time flat.

What makes you think that they were designed to work only on an automotive water pump. Pliers of that design were in use well before the first practical automobiles.

From Wikipedia:

Groove-joint pliers (tongue-and-groove pliers, water-pump pliers, Channellock pliers) (see Slip joint pliers) with adjustable jaw sizes, that are designed to grip various sizes of round, hexagon, flat or similarly shaped objects

[Bimmerguy2002]

I just dont get how they can even be used on a bmw water pump at all....you cant undo any piece of hardware on it at all, the fan clutch or the 13mm head bolts.
I never heard the term "water pump pliers" until the toolkit thing was mentioned, it seems impractical to even call them that-and could be confusing to a newbie wrencher.

I dont know where on the car they would be used, the ones in the tool kit, the only time i use a channel lock at all are a set of big ones, for the strut cartridges, and driveshaft clamping sleeve.

[chuck n san diego]

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I dont know where on the car they would be used, the ones in the tool kit, the only time i use a channel lock at all are a set of big ones, for the strut cartridges, and driveshaft clamping sleeve.

I used mine to install a cup holder.

[Coldswede]

Mark gave you a concise, documented explanation for the name.

ChannelLock is a Brand Name, water pump pliers are the generic type name. The original usage is likely lost in the mists of time.

It's just like "Why do they call it a computer Mouse?" They had to call it something.

Don't think so hard on it.

[a]

Ectually. the water pump pliers work just fine on a well sorted fan clutch nut. Back in the old days, water pumps were rebuildable. You replaced the bearings and repacked the packing to seal it. Some where in there you needed pliers.

[shocka]

I heard "water pump pliers" was the old indian name for them.

[Tucker]

They're called water pump pliers because they can be used to hold a pump hub or pulley while loosening a fan. It's a universal term that probably has its roots removing engine-driven fans on old Domestic cars. Every toolbox should have a selection of channel-locks and adjustable wrenches. Not ideal, and almost never "the right tool for the job" but in some cases the they're the only tool for the job, especially if there's rust or oddball sizes involved.

[Snakeyestx]

I used mine to install a cup holder.

I used a hammer...

[wkohler]

I took Eric Q's bad fan clutch off a 5er Fest '08 with the pair from the trunk of my car.

[RonW]

They are channel locks.

1. They are not made by Channellock, Inc.
2. Their slip joint is not tongue-and-groove; it's just a regular slip joint where the shaft can move along a hole in the shape of a series of intersecting circles when the pliers are fully opened.

[Bimmerguy2002]

Ok so i learned my lesson, its a brand....

I still will call them channel locks though, thats my story and im stickin to it! Maybe im jaded because i carry a 100 lb tool box with me at all times

[Mike W.]

Channellocks is a brand name, but so successful it's just like a Skillsaw or Scotch Tape. As to the why of water pump pliers, I've been in the maintenance biz a long time and I have no idea. Then again, why is this called an auto wrench?

[Bimmerguy2002]

Channellocks is a brand name, but so successful it's just like a Skillsaw or Scotch Tape. As to the why of water pump pliers, I've been in the maintenance biz a long time and I have no idea. Then again, why is this called an auto wrench?

Thats not an auto wrench, thats the thing that gets stuck due to oxidation when you leave it at the very top

I guess its like calling every kind of cotton swap a "Q-tip" eh?

[smootch]

I thought only my Grandfathers and my Dad had those in their tool boxes.

As far as WPP I couldn't imagine doing a brake pad change without my extra large five lb tool. One of the best tool purchases I ever made.

[B7Turbo]

In the tool kit....

What car would you use them on to work on a water pump
They are channel locks....

Is called wood stretcher.

[Mike W.]

I thought only my Grandfathers and my Dad had those in their tool boxes.

As far as WPP I couldn't imagine doing a brake pad change without my extra large five lb tool. One of the best tool purchases I ever made.

Actually they're very useful for working on chrome plumbing parts. Think flushometers in commercial buildings. I do have one at home, that I inheirited from my dad, or was it his dad, I'm not sure. Doesn't get used much though.

[guest1321]

This is an old thread but I know one answer that originated with my grandfather. When he worked in the oil fields, they could insert the pliers long handles into a water pump in lieu of a missing handle. Thus they were called Water Pump Pliers.