Coolant Leak at Startup... Time for a New Waterpump?
Passenger
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Coolant Leak at Startup... Time for a New Waterpump?
I'm experiencing an odd coolant leak... this only happens when the car is started cold. After it warms up for a few minutes and temperatures get to around 30*C, it will start dripping coolant onto the floor.
It only drips about a few tablespoons of coolant, and then completely stops after the car warms up some more. If the car is already warm, and I start it again, the leak doesn't occur.
The leak looks to be dripping down the lower radiator hose by the engine, but it's definitely not a hose or connection problem.
I think it may be coming from the bottom weep hole of the waterpump, and dripping down the housing and onto the floor.
Is this a telltale sign of a waterpump seal gone bad, will I need to replace the pump and filler housing gasket now? I also deleted my AST with a kit from Ray, so I'm not sure if that's affecting anything.
It only drips about a few tablespoons of coolant, and then completely stops after the car warms up some more. If the car is already warm, and I start it again, the leak doesn't occur.
The leak looks to be dripping down the lower radiator hose by the engine, but it's definitely not a hose or connection problem.
I think it may be coming from the bottom weep hole of the waterpump, and dripping down the housing and onto the floor.
Is this a telltale sign of a waterpump seal gone bad, will I need to replace the pump and filler housing gasket now? I also deleted my AST with a kit from Ray, so I'm not sure if that's affecting anything.
You first need to identify the exact location of the leak. If it is the weep hole, then yes you need to replace it; but first you need to validate that's the source of the leak.
you should check all the coolant hoses in the area where you see the leak, the c clips have a tendency to loosen up after all these years the leak will be so minor it is hard to notice. Deleting the AST will not cause a coolant leak as you described.
Passenger
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I will try to get a mirror under there and verify.
I know it's not the lower radiator hose because I can feel the housing's neck and it's wet, so the leak is dripping down onto the hose from somewhere higher... and the weep hole is the only other thing I can think of that would fit the bill.
I still think it's odd that the leak STOPS and goes away after dripping out a few tablespoons during warmup.
I know it's not the lower radiator hose because I can feel the housing's neck and it's wet, so the leak is dripping down onto the hose from somewhere higher... and the weep hole is the only other thing I can think of that would fit the bill.
I still think it's odd that the leak STOPS and goes away after dripping out a few tablespoons during warmup.
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Passenger
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Well I didn't use a mirror, but I started the car again and waited for the leak to occur. Afterwards I felt under the water pump and it was definitely wet. So it's confirmed that its coming from the bottom weep hole, or from that immediate area. The upper weep hole isn't leaking though...
Does anyone have any other thoughts before I plunge in and buy a new water pump?
And yes the car is single turbo, don't think that's related though. The leak was there before when the car was twins, it's just now more visible. I used to think it was the bottom radiator hose...
Does anyone have any other thoughts before I plunge in and buy a new water pump?
And yes the car is single turbo, don't think that's related though. The leak was there before when the car was twins, it's just now more visible. I used to think it was the bottom radiator hose...
It may be related.
If there is not an additional idler pulley installed there is very little contact of the belt on the water pump pulley because the air pump was removed,
To compensate the belt is over tightened.
First the bearings fail in the water pump, and next the eshaft.
If tight enough it can even break the eshaft..
It may have been leaking with twins, but extra tension on the pulley could be making it worse.
If there is not an additional idler pulley installed there is very little contact of the belt on the water pump pulley because the air pump was removed,
To compensate the belt is over tightened.
First the bearings fail in the water pump, and next the eshaft.
If tight enough it can even break the eshaft..
It may have been leaking with twins, but extra tension on the pulley could be making it worse.
Passenger
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I'm using a Pineapple Idler Pulley as well. And in the twins configuration, the stock air pump was left in place.
I think it's just a matter of the water pump about to give up the ghost, which sucks because it is a fairly low mileage (sub 30k) unit. Hopefully MazMart has their RE-Medy water pumps in stock, I'd like to try that one out.
I think it's just a matter of the water pump about to give up the ghost, which sucks because it is a fairly low mileage (sub 30k) unit. Hopefully MazMart has their RE-Medy water pumps in stock, I'd like to try that one out.
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Charlottesville VA 22901
I'm using a Pineapple Idler Pulley as well. And in the twins configuration, the stock air pump was left in place.
I think it's just a matter of the water pump about to give up the ghost, which sucks because it is a fairly low mileage (sub 30k) unit. Hopefully MazMart has their RE-Medy water pumps in stock, I'd like to try that one out.
I think it's just a matter of the water pump about to give up the ghost, which sucks because it is a fairly low mileage (sub 30k) unit. Hopefully MazMart has their RE-Medy water pumps in stock, I'd like to try that one out.
I got the MazMart RE-Medy water pump recently and really like it. A nice design, well made. It does seem to make my auto-x temps cooler, but I made other changes at the same time so it's hard to tell...
Passenger
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Does anyone have any tips on removing the water pump without compromising the seal on the housing behind it? It looks like they're sandwiched together... I'm wondering how I can pull/tap off the water pump with all the bolts loose.
I placed my order for the RE-Medy pump this morning, prices sure have gone up! It looks like they're down to 2 in inventory.
I placed my order for the RE-Medy pump this morning, prices sure have gone up! It looks like they're down to 2 in inventory.
you can save it if you're careful but it's always a crap shoot. i typically leave the top center bolt tight and pry between the water pump and housing to break the seal, once it is loose i take all the pump bolts off and pry it off gently while trying not to disturb the block to pump housing.
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