Coolant Leak - Panic!!

[TechnoTurkey]

Well, here's the story so far..

A couple of weeks ago I changed the thermostat, today I went to finish bleeding as I had previously ran out of time/light.

Coolant was dripping from the front of the sump and I can't work out where the source is, could this be the water pump? (I have no idea where this is and only noticed today because I had removed the undertray). It was dripping more when the engine was running.

My main concern is that we are meant to be going to the peak district in a couple of weeks for the weekend, but I am also working abroad te week before, so I only have a week to fix this. Normally I would go to Paul at LPG for any problems, but that it 35 miles away and I don't want to drive it there with a coolant problem...

HELP!!!

[mobilecat]

I realise it sounds a little bizarre - but check the lid/cap really carefully. The seal inside it can go - the naked eye its fine but when you pull the rubber seal if it has tiny holes that could be your answer. Its the simplest thing to check first and it cost me a new radiator

[wonkanoby]

the pump is central on the very front of the engine

it does read like its leaking

[widdowson2008]

If the pump is leaking, it will probably from be the lower hole on the pump. See pics and members comments in this thread.
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=47381

[TechnoTurkey]

I suspect the leak is coming from the pump but it is hard to be 100% sure. I'll order a new pump and swap it over.

The problem I have is that I only really have next Sunday to fit it, then I'm working abroad for a week and get back the day I am meant to be going away in the Bongo.

Any advice or tips on how to swap the pump, or offers of help, would be greatly appreciated. I'm worrying that it's going to put a dampener on a nice weekend away that we've been planning with friends for ages.

[widdowson2008]

Only tip I can think of (which can be a time consumer if forgotten) is to loosen the fan pulley bolts BEFORE removing the drive belts. Helen pointed this out in another post, and she is spot on.
When you get the old pump off, can you get some pics, particularly around the area of the holes (2). Don't clean the pump before you have taken the pics or you'll remove the evidence.
I think its a pretty easy job. (was for me cos I was just watching as spenner change his the other week. and spenner will admit that he's no mechanic). Pump change and bleed took a couple of hours I seem to remember. A spanner bloke would do it in less of course.

[mikexgough]

Only tip I can think of (which can be a time consumer if forgotten) is to loosen the fan pulley bolts BEFORE removing the drive belts. Helen pointed this out in another post, and she is spot on.

Old Skool mechanic technique that....and top tip of the day.... .....done that many times on A30's etc with A series motors and the Ford Crossflow's....

[helen&tony]

Hi
Drain the coolant the night before...flush the coolant off the drive...it attracts cats, as they like the taste...but it's poisonous to them.
Make up the coolant the night before...Next day:
Disconnect starter battery. Loosen pulley bolts, then remove wires to alternator, and fold back wiring...remove alternator, take the pulley off, then crack the bolts / nuts to pump, taking care not to drop the nuts. clean the block mating face, smear some sealant "Stuff"..special silicon...refit and fill/ bleed...no need to get under the car...all done from the passenger seat.
Doing the job...probably a couple of hours as Steve said...I can't give you my time, as I took 2 days...bad joint problems, bad back and hands don't always work
Good luck, and don't worry...youll do it.
Don't forget that levels could drop in subsequent days. I do a cold bleed immediately on startup the following day.
Cheers
Helen
P.S. a drop of threadlock on the pulley bolts won't do any harm

[helen&tony]

Hi Mike
An Old Skool mechanic gave me that tip...needless to say, I forgot, and had to put the pulley and belts back on to undo the bolts
Cheers
Helen

[TechnoTurkey]

Great - many thanks for everyone's input and help, as usual BongoFury comes up trumps!

I feel a lot more at ease about this and will try and get it done as soon as the pump gets delivered, just a bit of a shame that I've wasted loads of nice new CarPlan red coolant! Still, at least it will have had a good flushing!

Could anyone give me a bit more info about the sealant "stuff" please? Is this all that is needed and no gasket required?

Thanks again everyone!

[helen&tony]

Hi
Any silicon gasket sealant for car use...e.g. Hylomar will be suitable...most car shops should have something...preferably something that remain flexible!...and, yes, use the gasket in the kit...alternatively clean the old metal gasket and re-use it with sealant
Cheers
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

Great - many thanks for everyone's input and help, as usual BongoFury comes up trumps!

I feel a lot more at ease about this and will try and get it done as soon as the pump gets delivered, just a bit of a shame that I've wasted loads of nice new CarPlan red coolant! Still, at least it will have had a good flushing!

Could anyone give me a bit more info about the sealant "stuff" please? Is this all that is needed and no gasket required?

Thanks again everyone!

Can't see why you shouldn't reuse the coolant if it comes out the drain tap clear and clean

good luck

[TechnoTurkey]

Off to try the water pump swap shortly - will feed back how I get on.

Thanks again for everyone's help....

[TechnoTurkey]

Water pump replacement went well, mostly thanks to the help on here!

This is the inside of the old water pump:



This is the new one for comparison:



And this is the leak - was coming out of the bottom hole at a steady drip:



I suspect this may have been leaking for a while but as the loss was minimal I wouldn't have noticed, especially with the undertray on.....