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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 12
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Water Pump question
I am hoping that some of you more experienced 944 owners might direct me on the following question. I have noticed that I have a coolant leak somewhere around the water pump. This only happens after driving (e.g. once the car has stopped and cooled, I find a small coolant puddle under the car in the area of the water pump). I have looked at the main coolant hose from radiator to pump and that is ok. I feel that this could be a worn seal for the pump but I guess I would expect that to leak while the car is running. Suggestions?
Side note, the car is a 1985.5 with 93k and I just had the thermostat replaced in the fall. Other than that, I am pretty sure the water pump has not been changed in its lifetime. So another thought I had was maybe one of the pump's mounting bolts somehow got loosened (seems unlikely). |
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02-25-2006, 08:25 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Kingsport, TN
Posts: 2,935
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You get a pressure rise in your cooling system after the engine is shut off because additional heat transfers to the coolant. But as there is less forced flow from the pump and, hence, less flow through the radiator, coolant gets hotter and vapor pressure rises.
Isn't there a weep hole in the pump housing where you can determine leakage from pump seal. Not sure about weep hole as I get my cars mixed up.
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Lawrence 1986 951 2002 SLK32 AMG 1987 328GTS 2011 528i |
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02-25-2006, 09:31 AM
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Gon fix it with me hammer
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just replaced a waterpump on a 44 last thursday ...
no weep hole , the pump housing is bolted on the engine block, with a gasket... it would surprise me to see an old gasket on a waterpump suddenly fail if it hasn't been disturbed (read: waterpump wasn't unbolted), i don't see how that would happen , it wouldn't surprise me if the thermostat hose somehow got loose after some driving... it is a weird hose, and all that's holding it on is a hose clamp.. also, the hose going to the cabin heater attached just below the camhousing ... it's right next to the oil filter and can get damaged when someone replaces the oil filter... that would also cause a drip around the waterpump area
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Stijn Vandamme EX911STARGA73EX92477EX94484EX944S8890MPHPINBALLMACHINEAKAEX987C2007 BIMDIESELBMW116D2019 Last edited by svandamme; 02-25-2006 at 11:28 AM.. |
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02-25-2006, 11:18 AM
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Pull of the top belt cover, reach down to the water pump pulley and see if you can wiggle it up and down. You can also get a better look at the front of the water pump to see if it's leaking from the pulley shaft.
Other places to check are the top hose and the small hose that goes to the cab heater.
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Hugh - So Cal 83 944 Driver Person NOT a 'real' Porsche -- Its Better!!!! When was the last time you changed your timing and balance belts and/or cam chain and tensioner? New Users please add your car's year and model to your signature line! Never break more than you fix! |
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02-25-2006, 01:59 PM
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I just looked on a brand new one that I just bought and there is a weep hole on the bottom but there is no guarantee that it is what's leaking. But as everyone already mentioned, it will tend to leak more after you shut it off than when it's running. Since you don't know if it's ever been changed, I would guess that is the problem. The best thing is to pull the covers and use an inspection mirror and light and check the hole on the bottom side of the pulley. It will probably be wet and will probably have water stains on it if it's leaking.
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Tom 1990 944S2 Cabriolet 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 2003 Maroon Ford F350 dually |
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02-25-2006, 02:23 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Granite Falls, WA
Posts: 543
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Coolant pressure tester? Cold and hot, mirror and flashlight, and start looking. Sometimes an overnight pressure test required.
Where the puddle is at under the car, will not be a good indication of where its coming from a lot of times. You must find the source.
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1985/1 944 Granite Red (wife's car. Iceshark is lighting her way) 1983 944 Platinum (my daily) 1985/1 Guards Red (project) |
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02-25-2006, 07:19 PM
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Gon fix it with me hammer
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i think i'm not sure what meant with "weep hole"
or how a hole, could be a hole , but still sealed and not leaking?
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Stijn Vandamme EX911STARGA73EX92477EX94484EX944S8890MPHPINBALLMACHINEAKAEX987C2007 BIMDIESELBMW116D2019 Last edited by svandamme; 02-26-2006 at 03:33 AM.. |
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02-26-2006, 03:30 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Kingsport, TN
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Weep holes are put in water pumps just outboard of the seal/bearing location, generally on the bottom. If coolant makes it to the weep hole, it has already gotten by the seal. Purpose of hole is to quickly identify the source of leak as pump seal.
Leak could be a hose like others have suggested.
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Lawrence 1986 951 2002 SLK32 AMG 1987 328GTS 2011 528i Last edited by Lawrence Coppari; 02-26-2006 at 06:16 AM.. |
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02-26-2006, 06:14 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston, MA
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Thanks for the input on weep hole. I will take a look at that. While the leak remains a mistery, I do know the general location seems to be near the area under where the primary coolant hose enters the pump. Given the thermostat was replaced, it would make sense the hose is the culprit (it was not replaced but probably should have been). Since that was the obvious choice, I had looked at it using the mirror / light prior to my initial question and it looked clean. But, I will try it again and your suggestions and see what I come up with. thnx
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Jack ________________ 1985.5 944 auto (was resting for a couple of years and now becoming re-acquainted with the road) |
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02-26-2006, 11:51 AM
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BimForce the Third, Esquire
1983 Porsche 944 2.5 liter
