advice needed! coolant loss

[FREDA MIND]

hi guys,
ive just noticed freda is leaking coolant! -she hasnt over heated at all though ,ive had no overheating issues thank god.i just spoted a leak on the floor..
ive just removed the tray under the engine to get a better look.
it appears to be leaking from the front of the engine where i think think the water pump is situated. could it be the water pump itself that is leaking.
please help!
thanks ricky

[stilldesperate]

There is a small hole on the water pump, if the seal has gone, you will loose water there.

Can you run the engine whilst you check it out, once up to temp (and pressure), you'll probably spot where it's coming from.

SD

[missfixit70]

It's not just the condensate drain from the ac is it? or the drain under the windscreen? has the level actually dropped in the expansion tank? Sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but sometimes people get over paranoid about leaks

[crazy uncle gray g]

Ricky, the answer to your question is yes it possibly is the water pump,
I have just identified and fixed the same problem today.
As you say the easiest way of checking this out is to drop the engine shield, you will find that the water antifreeze mix runs down the front of the block sits on and then drips off the front of the sump. If your still not convinced remove the fan facing this area and then you can get a better look, if your going to remove and replace the water pump you will also find this helps (a lot).
Takes about 3hrs including bleeding the system afterwards.
I'm off for a beer in front of a log fire now to warm up

[hembramacho]

It's not just the condensate drain from the ac is it? or the drain under the windscreen? has the level actually dropped in the expansion tank? Sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but sometimes people get over paranoid about leaks

Worth checking - especially if you've had snow/ice on your windscreen.

Andrew

[FREDA MIND]

hi guys, thankyou kindly for your help as always
ok.... i checked the level in the header tank, it was below min, so topped up with neat antifreeze to max,i did this last bout a month ago i guess,
i jacked the front of freda up put her on axel stands, she was dripping off the front of the sump directly below the bottom pulley, a drip every 5 secs or so,,smelled of coolant,,deff coolant!.... ,ok i thought lets get her up to temp fully pressurised.
thats when things changed ,she stopped leaking!
i turned off engine,and checked the water pump for play, there was a little however didnt seem exessive to m
i think she is weeping when cold and static prob from water pump seal.
ive left a tray under her tonight to see if she does it again.
gonna keep a close eye on her, but i think ill be in the market for a new pump soon.
do you think ive got the diagnosive correct,
the only other thing is to remove the fan as suggested for a better look.
what do you guys think,,,,,
assuming im correct,is it much of a job,i could d.i.y....
how much is a new pump???
cheers ricky

[missfixit70]

Factsheet on replacing the waterpump in the members area - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/member ... erpump.pdf rated as technically easy, hardest bit'll probably be getting it bled right

[crazy uncle gray g]

sorry just got back from the pub, with a water pump failure you will find when the engine is running there is possibly very little water loss showing. but when stopped, ie over night that is when you will see / notice the water loss on the floor under the Bongo or in the expansion tank.
P.S it is now 2.48 am so if this don't make sense speak to me tomorrow

[FREDA MIND]

sorry just got back from the pub, with a water pump failure you will find when the engine is running there is possibly very little water loss showing. but when stopped, ie over night that is when you will see / notice the water loss on the floor under the Bongo or in the expansion tank.
P.S it is now 2.48 am so if this don't make sense speak to me tomorrow

cheers bud, hope you havnt got a hang over!
think you deserved a beer last night after changing the water pump.
well the tray i put underneith caught about a cup full last night so the loss isnt drastic at the moment, and as im aware of it ill be monitoring it .
i need the car to get me to work so will have to get part on order soon, and just keep an eye on her.
before i order the part do you think there is anything i can do to ensure thats where the leak is coming from?
i know you mentioned removing the fan for a better look.
how did you do the job, have you got a pit, or did you put it on axel stands?dosnt look the most easy thing to get to.
how much does a new pump cost? are they easy to find.
im going to have a look in the bongo shop now.


thanks also to kirsty, going to look into bleeding the system and also replenishing with out causing air locks.
thaks for all of your help
ricky

[crazy uncle gray g]

My heads feeling fine now thanks, as for the water pump if you open up the passenger side engine cover with a strong beamed torch you can just about see the water pump and if you watch closely as I did you may see coolant dripping down the front of the block from it.
In answer to your other questions all I did was drive the bongo up on a pair of ramps which gives you plenty of working room, removed the bottom rad hose to drop most of the coolant into a bucket removed the fan which then gives you plenty of access to the pump which I actually got from Euro Car Parts Southampton because it was on the shelf and similar price to the club discounted shop, Hoorah! 3 hours later job done.
Checked water levels again this morning (not to early obviously ) and as expected the level had dropped so topped up and ran through bleeding process once more, been for a run now everything seems fine, will now keep a close eye on things and ear on my alarm.

[wonkanoby]

hardest part for me was removing the fan

to reach the nuts with ease needs way smaller hands than i have

[crazy uncle gray g]

hardest part for me was removing the fan

to reach the nuts with ease needs way smaller hands than i have

I'm sure I dont know what you mean ?