Time to change out the water pump..
The gasket is fine and the pump still works, but I'm leaking out of the lower weep hole - WTF
Can someone class me a bit here?
Its been 3 years since I had the timing cover when I changed out the timing belt and I forget.. I'm wondering if the timing belt has to come off to get to the water pump?
Also, what are these dog-gone weep holes and whats their purpose?
The weep hole means coolant is getting past the bearing. It's just a matter of time before it has to be replaced. You should be able to sneak the water pump off around the timing belt. The upper cover has to come off. How much coolant is leaking out of the hole? Is it just a stain or can you see it running down a bit? If it is only stained you can buy some time if you keep an eye on the bearing.
Yes, I was getting by for awhile with just a drip and then last year I did a few drops of oil in the weep hole and it all went away.. I was able to drive up North in July and had no issues until a few weeks ago. I'm back in FL now and it started dripping again and now with the cold front that came down to Florida ( 68 degree mornings - YIPPPEEEE ) it stays tight but as the sun comes up its starts leaking again.. I was hoping with cooler days to come it may tighten up again on me and I get my pennies worth out of this Aisin ( I think its original ) water pump.. Glad to hear I can sneak it by the time belt.. It shouldn't take to long. Would you suggest removing the radiator? Thanks for the input.
You can do it without removing the rad. It's just a little tight for cleaning gasket surfaces. Loosen the three ten mm head bolts that hold on the pulley before you remove the belt. It's usually easier to do that way. If you aren't removing the lower cover stuff a bunch of rags in there to catch any coolant that leaks out when you pop the pump off. Saves lots of clean up later.
your water pump is on the way out, change it right away! if it blows out you will likely overheat the engine is seconds, and you will also be changing the head gasket too. It is not worth waiting this long, new water pumps are cheap and it is an easy change.
DO NOT Get a re-manufactured water pump, they are junk right out of the box. Get only a new one, NAPA has a life time warranty new water pump for only about $8 or $12 more than the junk reman.
It takes me exactly 30 min to change a water pump using hand tools on the TErcel. It is easy, timing belt stays in place. I drain the radiator and remove it since it comes out so easy, it gives you more room to work, easier to clean off the old gasket, etc. so it makes for a faster job overall. you also might consider replacing the upper and lower radiator hoses while you are at it if they are old, again, you do not want to risk them failing and than having to replace the head gasket because of it.
Thanks for the input, guys.. HOLY MACKERAL!!!! I love this car!!
That was the easiest water-pump change out I have ever done!
Good call on the rag catch for all the old gasket material, that made clean-up a snap. I used coffee filters and mainly positioned them around the timing belt just below where I had to scrape.. Objective was to not let old material find its way down in and around the crank sprocket / lower area...
Hardest part was cleaning off the old gasket material and even that was pretty easy. I left the radiator in..
I used coffee filters and mainly positioned them around the timing belt just below where I had to scrape.. Objective was to not let old material find its way down in and around the crank sprocket / lower area...
I left the radiator in.. 