still leaking....... losing patience!

Can't believe it. Expansion tank, next was 'P' gasket which I replaced along with water pump gasket. Now its leaking again. Water is coming out a bit higher up than the P gasket this time and is going all over the alternator. Just been out and tried to see. The area around the front of the block seems OK. Took pulley off the water pump and couldnt see anything obvious I could hear a hissing sound coming from the pump and the noise changed when you rotated the pump. When I had it in bits the pump felt good with no free play and seemed in good condition. Anyone got any idea whats happening? I am losing my temper a bit now and had to come in before I broke something!

revjames said:

Can't believe it. Expansion tank, next was 'P' gasket which I replaced along with water pump gasket. Now its leaking again. Water is coming out a bit higher up than the P gasket this time and is going all over the alternator. Just been out and tried to see. The area around the front of the block seems OK. Took pulley off the water pump and couldnt see anything obvious I could hear a hissing sound coming from the pump and the noise changed when you rotated the pump. When I had it in bits the pump felt good with no free play and seemed in good condition. Anyone got any idea whats happening? I am losing my temper a bit now and had to come in before I broke something!

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Like I said Rev the first time I did mine the bastid started leaking a week later

So I did it again, but realy properly and a year later it's still not leaked a drop!

Did you check the core plug behind pump?

There is a water dump hole underneath pump main shaft which corresponds to where you say it's now leaking, you might have disloged some ****e that has gone through the pump and fooked yeh pump seals up!

I'd sooner change the pump than take all that off again! Is it really likely that something can knacker the pump like a piece of swarf or something? I have just been under it with it running and it took ages to get up to temp and only when the needle started moving did the water start appearing on the underside of the alternator and on the casting that supports it.

Just a thought but what happens if you put too much water in it?

revjames said:

I'd sooner change the pump than take all that off again! Is it really likely that something can knacker the pump like a piece of swarf or something? I have just been under it with it running and it took ages to get up to temp and only when the needle started moving did the water start appearing on the underside of the alternator and on the casting that supports it.

Just a thought but what happens if you put too much water in it?

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If it was the pump it would leak as soon as you started her up!

The problem with the whole pump/p gasket set up is that it's a large alu lump with a few bolts holding it on, easy to wrongly tighten and warp, the leak starts when warm because of the alu to cast iron joint and different expansion/contraction rates.

When I did mine I also ended up putting a tap down the mounting bolt threads as they were full of rust/****e and were bottoming and hence not tightening up!

Have you got a throttle cable or fly by wire? I've got a piece of broom handle that I cut to about 38mm long that nicely fits in between injection pump and timing belt housing (cable throttle) this holds her at about 2000rpm and hence warms up a lot quicker, if the latter put a brick on the throttle peddle or wedge a stick in between seat.

Not overfill!


Chill out at least you not got a knackered head gasket!

Well I know what I'm going to be doing saturday! BTW when you use jointing paste on gaskets should you leave it a certain length of time before you put water in. It looks like its all going to have to come off again! at least I know how it all goes now. Do you reckon I need another p gasket?

revjames said:

Well I know what I'm going to be doing saturday! BTW when you use jointing paste on gaskets should you leave it a certain length of time before you put water in. It looks like its all going to have to come off again! at least I know how it all goes now. Do you reckon I need another p gasket?

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Can't see it being your P gasket if it's leaking on your alternator, more like water pump gasket or leaking shaft seal.

I put that instant gasket stuff where I want it and then leave it to go off a bit before assembly!

I just had a good look at it and it definitely is getting wet on top of the alt bracket and theres water on the front of the alternator. I can't see without taking the pulleys etc off exactly but its looking more like ater pump than P gasket I'm pleased to say.

Later: stripped water pump off and its definitely failed at the bottom where the 3 big bolts go through to the block. Gasket was a cheap paper one. The one I just got is like fibre stuff - pink colour. Hopefully this will fix it once and for all.

AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Put new gaasket on, gasket paste both sides after thoroughly cleaning things up. Tightened up, filled with water, took it for a 10 min drive and water all over the road, it is coming out the water pump somewhere and water spraying over alternator and intercooler hoses etc. I am going to Bangor tomorrow to buy a new water pump. Can't think of anything else to do. The pump itself looks and feels OK no sign of looseness or evidence of leaks. Its the seal that isnt working - why?

New pump fitted. Thoroughly cleaned housing face with emery and even de greased it. A local mechanic who came over for a look when I was struggling last night said I was better off with no gasket and just using 'instant gasket' in a tube. Not so sure myself, I got some red hermetite to try instead of the blue hylomar this time and used a new gasket as well. Going to give it a few hours to dry out thoroughly before filling it up.

Hi matey.

When you removed the old pump did you clean all of the old gasket off and how did ya do it?

When you put it back together smear a thin layer of gasket sealant on the engine, smear a thin layer on the pump and leave it for 5 mins. Lay the paper gasket on the pump and then put the pump back on.

Wind all bolts in a bit at a time until they are all in at the same place. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THEM.

Hope this helps

I cleaned it with emery and used hermetite instead of hylomar and left it for the whole day before filling it up. Seems OK at the mo only prob is heater blowing cold. Tried running with the cap off. Might just take it for a long run. Looking back, I think my previous failures were possibly due to over tightening.

If it is blowing cold there is something not right there. is the coolant level right. What heater setting have you got it on.

i had the same problem when i first got it and realzed that the hot only comes out of the windscreen and footwell setting. cold only comes out of the face vents.

if it still is cold, under the bonnet is 2 1" pipes that go in to the front bulkhead. they are situated beside the top on the engine. If they are cold there is an air lock if they are hot then they may be a problem with your heater matrix

On mine you can usually get hot from the facia vents. Now I cant get hot on anything. Both dials are set to hot. Pretty sure it must be an air lock or something like that.