Water pump?

[91dsmtalon]

I just put on a new downpipe and had to take the a/c fan off the radiator to get in and pry off the DP, when doing so my friend didn't and (so i thought) poked a hole in the radiator, I am leaking coolant like crazy and I can see it all of the bottom crossmember when just looking down my engine bay, so i was all ready to buy a new radiator, but this morning when I went to put some coolant in it all leaked out and collected on the Oil filter, no where near the radiator...? Could this be my water pump? All the coolant I put in leaks out right on the oil filter, and it comes out quick. I have not had time to hop under it yet, but will later tonight. What do you guys think?

 

[Agent11br]

I'd check the o-ring that seals the front water pipe into the water pump itself. They tend to get very hard over time and this could be your issue. Go buy a new one, slap some rtv on it, and see if that works.

To try and locate the leak, drain your coolant if there even any left, put like a gallon or so of water in, put the cap on, and then squeeze the upper radiator hose to get some pressure built up. Have someone squeeze while you look around for where the leak is coming from.

 

[91dsmtalon]

I'm just wondering how a O ring could going bad could happen right after i put my DP on, just bad luck? Or may I have bumped it loose?

 

[Turbo Talon DL]

RTV on a water pipe o ring seal? Lightly coat the seal with engine oil or anti-freeze if anything. Put some water wetter in there while you're at it too. Just for the fun of it, put a new water pump on too...

 

[91dsmtalon]

How big of a pita is the water pump to replace?

 

[MetalliHawk]

How comfortable are you changing the timing belt? You'll have to take this off in order to do the water pump, and that means you should change all your belts and timing tensioner components depending on how old they are. The pump ITSELF is not hard to change at all, the PITA comes from getting to it

 

[Turbo Talon DL]

Just do it. Its not impossible, nowhere NEAR impossible. The water pump has to come off to replace the o-ring on the water pipe anyhow. Make sure when you take the upper motor mount bracket off, you have a sturdy piece of wood with an old bath towel on top of the jack so you dont injure the oil pan. You can do it, i've taken that crap apart about 6 times now....

 

[91dsmtalon]

Whew turns out it was a coolant line that went to my oil pump, had a hole about a 1/4 of an inch long!! Must have gotten gouged with a screw driver Took all night but gave me an excuse to change oil and flush coolant system, thanks for your help guys!!