26 replies to this topic

[mini7racer]

i thank you saved another near disaster!

[Telejmp]

Ok, now im not happy. I put a new gasket in, put everything back together, and STILL water is leaking from it. is it possible that the pump itself could be gone and water is coming from that? Its definately coming from that area, and I dont think its from the pipes, gggrrr.
Is there a sneaky way you can fill the ststem with water without the rad in, to see where its coming from?

ALSO... I poured water into the pipe that goes to the thermostat, that gasket is leaking now too. Is it just because ive taken the rad mounting piece off? or should I replace that now too?

Thanks a lot,
im dying to get my mini back im missing it so much



pEaCe
DOm

P.S If it turns out to be leaking from the water pump itself, I think its time for a big "I told you so" from you all, lol.

[Telejmp]

GGGRRR, I just filled a lemonade bottle with water and attatched it to the bottom hose from the rad. I could see water was coming out of a hole on the bottom of the water pump, just near where the fan bolts on, ive ordered a new one.
Why oh why couldnt I have done this in the first place, like you all suggested, lol.
Thanks
pEaCE
Dom

[cowboy]

while your at it don't forget the termostate housing gasket!! :grin:

and where is that (THEY TOLD YOU SO) :grin:

hope you get her running soon..... :wales:

[siggy]

You should have checked the pump at the very least. You would have seen signs of water leaking. I have never known a water pump gasket to just start leaking.
Also change the by pass hose while your swapping the pump.

Siggy

[Telejmp]

Yeah siggy, It just looked like it was coming from the back of the pump because it was running down, silly me.
I thought I better replace that bypass hose at the same time, so I ordered another with the pump. I wouldnt like to have to change that without taking the pump off.
thanks,
pEaCE
DOm

[siggy]

As long as you learn by your errors all is not lost.

Opps that the teacher in me speaking

Siggy

[Telejmp]

Yeah, thats true, im learning all the time.
This is my first car really, I used to drive my mums, but it was quite new and never needed a thing doing to it, im having to learn how to maintain/fix a car as I go.
I must admit, even though it has been a lot of work just for a water pump. I really enjoy working on it, except for everything being really small and packed together, not to mention the rust,lol.
pEaCE
Dom

[siggy]

There is plenty of room to work on a Mini, just try working on one of the new so called super Mini's

Siggy

[Telejmp]

Agh, maybe its just me then, lol. I really dont like trying to squeeze the radiator housing past the fan and the radiator, the first time it took me ages, now I just pull it hard and it comes, hehe.
pEaCE
Dom

[cowboy]

telejmp, all you have to do is remove the rad from the housing, you can leave the mounting in place. bottom hose can be tricky, i got a good 1/4 drive socket set with some long extensions for those awkward jobs, but if you do the hose clamp before you put the rad back on its pretty easy :grin:
i changed my water pump in an hour doing it this way.....thats after i repaired the rad, which you guessed had to come back off to do the water pump....
:wales:

[Telejmp]

hey
I just tried to get the radiator off leaving the housing in, I found it impossible. I couldnt get the hose of the bottom of the rad. I guess I need some better tools or skinnier arms.

Good news though, its back on the road, hehe. I just took it for a very fast drive around some country lanes, I think the screeching tyres frightened some horses and cows :grin: . I cant believe it took me this long to get and fit a waterpump. lol.

I cant believe how much I love this car, I have been driving my mums Astra for about 2-3 weeks now. The second I got back in the mini today , it felt like I was home heh.
Thanks for all your help everyone,
pEaCE
Dom