Water Pump Leak...any ideas?

[LEB Ben]

Hey fellas...I found the antifreeze leak. I really don't know what to say about it, I've never seen one leak from this area before. It looks like there is a possibility there's supposed to be a screw or something in this 'hole'. Here are the pics:


Blurry pic I know but here are witness marks:

Here's a pic with it running and coolant leaking:

Is there something that is supposed to go in that 'hole'? I'm just trying to avoid spending unnecessary cash and I really don't wanna have to pulle the water pump again. So any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[m78]

Thats a weep hole. First sign of pump going bad will show there

 

[DNFXDLI]

Hey fellas...I found the antifreeze leak. I really don't know what to say about it, I've never seen one leak from this area before. It looks like there is a possibility there's supposed to be a screw or something in this 'hole'. Here are the pics:


Blurry pic I know but here are witness marks:

Here's a pic with it running and coolant leaking:

Is there something that is supposed to go in that 'hole'? I'm just trying to avoid spending unnecessary cash and I really don't wanna have to pulle the water pump again. So any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm pretty sure that is a weep hole...it will start to leak when the pump seal is going bad...I'm thinking you are going to need a new pump.

 

[LEB Ben]

Thats a weep hole. First sign of pump going bad will show there

I'm pretty sure that is a weep hole...it will start to leak when the pump seal is going bad...I'm thinking you are going to need a new pump.

WTF...the pump is 2 months old. Thanks for the info fellas. I've just never seen that before...I've seen them do a bunch of stuff...just apparently not the tell tale sign. Thanks for the info fellas.

 

[UNRULEE]

Yup, weep hole.

At least it's fresh in your mind on how to change it!

 

[70blue]

Put some bubble gum on it. Years ago I had problems with new pumps. I got 2 new ones that were bad from pep boys before I told them I wanted my money back and got a good one from napa. I hope that booger is warranted but that don't help much with your time.

 

[LEB Ben]

Yep it's got a lifetime warranty...so all I gotta do is go swap. But you're right...I had probably an hour trying to see what was even leaking, a half hour in tear down, now I'll have drive time (20 mins and gas), plus install time (hour), PLUS the cost of more antifreeze and gaskets. But at least this isn't a hard fix. Thanks again for the help guys.

 

[m78]

If those auto parts stores paid for lost time they'd go broke. That shows the quality that we're buying.

 

[LEB Ben]

If those auto parts stores paid for lost time they'd go broke. That shows the quality that we're buying.

You got that right. But to tell you the truth, I'm not too worried about the time because I really have nothing else to do and I enjoy wrenching. What I'm most irritated about is the fact the part went bad in 2 months, and the money in gas I'm gonna fork over to be driven around and the $30 in antifreeze I'm gonna have to buy because of THEIR bad part. I knew from the start I shoulda just spent the extra $20 and gotten a FlowKooler water pump. Guess that'll teach me to never go the cheap route when it comes to fairly important parts. I'm also kinda disappointed because this is the first O'Reilly's part I've ever had an issue with. But oh well. Thanks again for all the replies.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

I dont trust anybody but napa for water pumps I had three of em that were bad right from the start. They didnt leak but the bearings were shot. I finally got a good one from jegs that flows 20% more and havent had a prodlem with it.

 

[m78]

I hate redoing things. It increases the chance of damaging something else in s the process. Like scratching the paint or bending the grill surround.

 

[LEB Ben]

I dont trust anybody but napa for water pumps I had three of em that were bad right from the start. They didnt leak but the bearings were shot. I finally got a good one from jegs that flows 20% more and havent had a prodlem with it.

Yeah...I've always had problems with NAPA parts and most part houses when it comes to 'important' parts, that's why I started buying Motorcraft or from JBG. Lesson learned I guess. But I am gonna give O'Reilly's one more shot with this pump...and if it goes again, then I'll just get my refund and buy the FlowKooler pump from JBG.


FYI...FlowKooler are the folks that produce RobertShaw tstats...so pretty reputable. You can usually save 20% from FlowKooler direct, but there isn't a warranty program for the general public.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Id go that way places like that are pretty good with their stuff.

 

[flareside_thunder]

You wanna cut down on mess and seating time use the copper gasket spray when you re-install the water pump....I have never had a problem with the stuff and have assembled entire engines with it(minus the front and rear intake corners of course) good stuff and it works like a dream...no RTV making a mess.

 

[LEB Ben]

Oh yeah...for chits and giggles...these are my working arrangements:

 

[flareside_thunder]

You live in a dorm?

 

[LEB Ben]

You live in a dorm?

No...it's an old school apartment. Any apartment within a 5 mile radius of the school was annexed 2 years ago. So I figured why not pick the closest and one of the cheapest.

 

[flareside_thunder]

Well, look at it this way, you're in the shade!(for a little while anyways)

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Shade always makes it better. Howd it end up goin?

 

[73F100Shortbed]

At least you have all the tools to fix everything judging by that toolbox. And I thought I carried alot of tools in my truck.