New water pump leaking - 1.8 16v

During the last year I have been doing a gasket refresh on my 16v PL engine. While I was doing this I put a new water pump (changed whole unit) and thermostat in for peace of mind.

What bothers me is that the new water pump seems to be leaking a few drops in the gasket and frost plug area under the water pump. I have only started the engine for a few minutes and it has not gotten properly warm yet so need to take it out for a drive (might help the gasket to seal properly?)..

Have any of you expirienced this with a new pump? I'm hoppning I wont be needing to take the water pump out again and get a new seal..

I never have had a water pump main gasket leak, that is if you bought the pump only, then replaced it to the gasket to the body, and failed to torque it to 87 inch lbs on the bolts.

But the weep hole as they sit is at the top of the shaft under the pulley, and if the front seal goes then it can
drip there and be sprayed on the pulley and on a hot car you can't see it drip….

You can take it to a shop and they can pressurize the system with the pump and gauge, and if it is leaking then it will leak there.

More common are the plastic flanges on the t-stat distorting…..

You can buy or rent a pressure tester at most parts stores over here and DIY.

Pumps go, I had one that was about 2 years old leak out the front seal….  

Also if you have too much tension on the V belt that can cause them to go as well.

Briano1234 said

I never have had a water pump main gasket leak, that is if you bought the pump only, then replaced it to the gasket to the body, and failed to torque it to 87 inch lbs on the bolts.

But the weep hole as they sit is at the top of the shaft under the pulley, and if the front seal goes then it can
drip there and be sprayed on the pulley and on a hot car you can't see it drip….

You can take it to a shop and they can pressurize the system with the pump and gauge, and if it is leaking then it will leak there.

More common are the plastic flanges on the t-stat distorting…..

You can buy or rent a pressure tester at most parts stores over here and DIY.

Pumps go, I had one that was about 2 years old leak out the front seal….  

Also if you have too much tension on the V belt that can cause them to go as well.

Thanks for your reply!

This is a brand new pump with new housing that I have bolted on which should not leak in my opinion bit it might be faulty..

The V-belt is actualy a little loose but I will double check it.

Good idea with the preassure tester. What preassure should I test with?

The new complete water pump I brought last year did need a little nip up of the bots around the pump as mine leaked a little so might be worth checking the bolts but don't over do as they are only little nuts and bolts…

The torque is only 87 in/lbs and it isn't much.

I have now hade a extra look att the bolts and they are not the problem. Did preassurize the system and the leak is from the main gasket of the water pump body. Is it common to put any extra liquid gasket or should the standard be enough?

Well Done you on the pressure test, as now you know where the issue is instead of guessing.


Standard should suffice, as I have never needed "extra" sealant on the Gasket.

The imperative is that you need to torque the bolts to 87 inch lbs  9.8 NM,  if you go over you strip the threads, too little and it leaks very similar to the water outlets, and Valve cover gasket.

I also strongly suggest that you either totally remove the bolts Clean the threads with a wire brush, and wrap them with white Teflon Tape, or….apply Never-seize as that keeps dis-similar metal corrosion at bay (Aluminum and Steel will start corroding on their own)and allows you to remove them in the future with ease.  Only use a 6pt 10mm socket to install them and start them by hand.

Here is a old assembly that I tried to remove the bolts by hand…. Soaking in penetrant and using a impact wrench usually don't break them… But corrosion over the years does a number.



When I am done, I usually spray the rear of the bolts that are exposed with Battery corrosion paint to prevent corrosion from starting at the back and working forward.




 

Thanks for your input, the pump is now sorted and it has not leaks!