water pump leak

944cabby · Jan 12, 2009

I've had suspicions for some time that i've been losing water from the cab but assumed it was passing though the breather hose.
Anyways started the cab tonight with the bonnet up and noticed steam from around the plastic housing bolted onto the water pump - checking closer the water was sufficient to see on my fingertips.
Before i undo the bolts could anyone tell me if there's a seal or gasket i need to order (or the black housing itself?).
The pump itself isn't noisy so i'm hoping that's ok.
Cheers.

rcsalmons · Jan 12, 2009

Theres a rubber o ring behind it.

You often find the elbow warps though.

Promax keep them in stock for a few quid.

Rich

944cabby · Jan 12, 2009

Thanks rich.

graham.webb · Jan 12, 2009

Rich is right. Last time (see below) Promax sent me out the elbow plus O ring very quickly...a good service.

I've had a lot of trouble with these...the one on my S2 when I bought it leaked. He's also right that they distort, or to be honest they're distorted to start with. Despite having an O ring sitting in a groove in the face of the flange, the bolt holes are sleeved in metal and when the bolts are tightened down hard the O ring has little chance of being properly compressed if the flange is already distorted.

When you take yours off, put a straightedge across the flange and you'll probably see daylight in the middle...on my third one this was about 1.5mm!!

Pause for a nostalgic moment to remember your first car and happy hours spent with Hermetite and paper gaskets.......

FWIW on my third one I flatted the face off, then took care to wash it thoroughly so it was perfectly clean, A smear of Hylomar as belt and braces and it sealed perfectly. Lasted a good few miles too.

Unfortunately at the recent belts & rollers my indie replaced the water pump and the elbow too, but I asked for my modded elbow back for when the latest one starts leaking again......

944cabby · Jan 15, 2009

Ordered the parts from Promax and indeed the service was very,very good - sent out before they recieved payment -for a 7 quid sale!
Well pleased.

944cabby · Jan 19, 2009

Once more a simple job becomes a nightmare![

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Two allen head bolts holding the elbow to the pump - couldn't budge either and now the insides of the bolt have started to strip.
Any suggestions as to how to remove these two?If i get out my dremmel and remove the heads i'll still be left with the threaded part in the pump.

graham.webb · Jan 19, 2009

I found that the normal allen key was too sloppy, and it's difficult to get a decent purchase on it. I resorted to getting a proper hex drive set from Screfix (only a few quid) and that sorted it.

Wonder if garages put Loctite etc on these, they're so hard to get undone>