8 replies to this topic

[stef]

Hey guys, got round to finishing some bits on my car tonight, the water pump was leaking at the gasket so i took it off, used a gasket scraper to get the surface really clean and then fitted a new pump using gasket sealer on both mating surfaces.

After finally getting it all back together it appears to be leaking again, i guess it's from the same place as water is dripping down onto the timing cover and down onto the sump.

My question is, would overtightening of the bolts cause this? Or a poor gasket? Are there any other common problems like this that may be caused by something else? I used new bolts and spring washers.

guess i'll have to pull it all apart, again. I'm getting pretty pro at changing the coolant now, but to be honest i'm not that keen on constantly doing it lol.

Also, do i have to remove the alternator to get the pump off? I did last time, was wondering if its really necessary.

Last thing, i put a new fan on, however it appears to scrape against the radiator cowl. It seems to have grinded some of the material on the fan away, should i trim down the fan blades?

[Kerrin]

The water pump has a small hole underneath which will leak water if the bearings or seals have failed. You can't see it while the fan pulley is fitted. There may be some orange stain to show the leak if your water is not too clean.

[stef]

It's a brand new water pump though?

Guess i'll just have to pull it all off and see what's what.

Water is brand new so no staining i wouldn't have thought.

[tulka]

I think there is lots of small things causing it.

Surface of waterpump is not flat like it used to be, so cracks poor quality gasket.

Pump body is to weak since fault is always on top?Used to be cast iron.

Vibration from alternator helps all this, so try one that is better ballanced.

Tulka

Edited by tulka, 17 September 2010 - 07:48 AM.

[SolarB]

Also, check the water temperature sender and the bypass hose if you have one. They can leak and run around the back of the pump and onto the timing chain cover, making it look like it's the pump that's leaking.

[stef]

Cheers for the replies,

No bypass hose and the sender is fine, It's defo the gasket again as i pulled it all part today and found this:








As you can see it appears to have blown the gasket around a bolt, which is where i felt the water. Strange as it's a brand new pump and gasket. Do you think i could have used too much gasket sealer? Does it need to just be a really thin layer?

Another thing is, In the pic of the block, where i have my screwdriver pointed to the hole, that appears to be right next to where the gasket sits, right near the edge of the water pump. Seems a bit if a silly design really? I'm guessing it's supposed to be there and normally doesn't cause trouble though? Just thought it was strange.

Any ideas? Shall i just use another new gasket, thin spread of sealer and see what happens? I think it's 22nm for the bolts, that correct?

Thanks.

Edited by stef, 17 September 2010 - 08:34 PM.

[Big_Adam]

Just make a slightly wider gasket. Made a few out of cereal packets before,

[stef]

Well i have another gasket that came with the waterpump so was going to use that?

Out of interest, would making a wider one help? The gasket that was on there is already wider than the actual mating surface of the water pump. I don't really get why it would have blown anyway providing the joint was tight enough, which it certainly was. Meh it's a mini i guess. lol.

[stef]

Problem solved, sort of.

Water pump has a hairline crack in it!