waterpump bolt leaking!! ???
05-28-2011, 10:26 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
waterpump bolt leaking!! ???
Well I finally found the mysterious source of my disappearing coolant..... I changed the radiator cap...nope.....fixed a swollen hose....nope.... At the track today I was loosing a gallon per session!!!
So I borrow a pressure tester.....10psi...nothing...15psi...nothing...20psi....still can't hear anything.....then I look under the car and see a few drops that weren't from my race in the rain....look closer...its a constant drip per second coming out of a bolt just to the right of the waterpump pulley..... I took a pic but it didn't turn out great....
SO how do I fix it....I'm hoping the "change the waterpump" isn't answer since this pump is precisely 65 hours on track old....
So I borrow a pressure tester.....10psi...nothing...15psi...nothing...20psi....still can't hear anything.....then I look under the car and see a few drops that weren't from my race in the rain....look closer...its a constant drip per second coming out of a bolt just to the right of the waterpump pulley..... I took a pic but it didn't turn out great....
SO how do I fix it....I'm hoping the "change the waterpump" isn't answer since this pump is precisely 65 hours on track old....
05-29-2011, 07:26 PM
#4
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
I don't know the answer, other than a new gasket, but why is your power steering belt facing the wrong way. Not that it matters, just being **** 
Hope you fix it.
Hope you fix it.
05-29-2011, 07:33 PM
#5
Race Director
Thread Starter
05-29-2011, 08:55 PM
#7
Chronic Tool Dropper
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Brian--
Drain the coolant via the radiator drain. That should get coolant level below the bolt that you show. Remove the bolt and clean the threads in the hole thoroughly. (a squirt of Brake-Clean to clear any coolant or anti-sieze) Use some Teflon Pipe Sealant Paste on the bolt threads and reinstall. If the bolt is at all corroded, get a new bolt. The pipe sealant paste is in the plumbing section at Home Depot. Mine is in a small white and black tube, Oatey brand. If the coolant is leaking through the threads from the block, this will easily stop it. If it's leaking from a failed WP gasket, it probably won't help much.
That same sealant paste gets used on the block drains, oil pan drain plug, differential plugs, oil cooler hose nuts, etc. It seals the threads and lubricates them for easier removal later. Since the threads are sealed, the torque required for sealing on the bolts and plugs is somewhat less. Particularly on the block drains and diff plugs, this makes later removal a lot easier without threat of thread or plug damage.
Drain the coolant via the radiator drain. That should get coolant level below the bolt that you show. Remove the bolt and clean the threads in the hole thoroughly. (a squirt of Brake-Clean to clear any coolant or anti-sieze) Use some Teflon Pipe Sealant Paste on the bolt threads and reinstall. If the bolt is at all corroded, get a new bolt. The pipe sealant paste is in the plumbing section at Home Depot. Mine is in a small white and black tube, Oatey brand. If the coolant is leaking through the threads from the block, this will easily stop it. If it's leaking from a failed WP gasket, it probably won't help much.
That same sealant paste gets used on the block drains, oil pan drain plug, differential plugs, oil cooler hose nuts, etc. It seals the threads and lubricates them for easier removal later. Since the threads are sealed, the torque required for sealing on the bolts and plugs is somewhat less. Particularly on the block drains and diff plugs, this makes later removal a lot easier without threat of thread or plug damage.
Trending Topics
05-29-2011, 09:07 PM
#8
Race Director
Thread Starter
Brian--
Drain the coolant via the radiator drain. That should get coolant level below the bolt that you show. Remove the bolt and clean the threads in the hole thoroughly. (a squirt of Brake-Clean to clear any coolant or anti-sieze) Use some Teflon Pipe Sealant Paste on the bolt threads and reinstall. If the bolt is at all corroded, get a new bolt. The pipe sealant paste is in the plumbing section at Home Depot. Mine is in a small white and black tube, Oatey brand. If the coolant is leaking through the threads from the block, this will easily stop it. If it's leaking from a failed WP gasket, it probably won't help much.
That same sealant paste gets used on the block drains, oil pan drain plug, differential plugs, oil cooler hose nuts, etc. It seals the threads and lubricates them for easier removal later. Since the threads are sealed, the torque required for sealing on the bolts and plugs is somewhat less. Particularly on the block drains and diff plugs, this makes later removal a lot easier without threat of thread or plug damage.
Drain the coolant via the radiator drain. That should get coolant level below the bolt that you show. Remove the bolt and clean the threads in the hole thoroughly. (a squirt of Brake-Clean to clear any coolant or anti-sieze) Use some Teflon Pipe Sealant Paste on the bolt threads and reinstall. If the bolt is at all corroded, get a new bolt. The pipe sealant paste is in the plumbing section at Home Depot. Mine is in a small white and black tube, Oatey brand. If the coolant is leaking through the threads from the block, this will easily stop it. If it's leaking from a failed WP gasket, it probably won't help much.
That same sealant paste gets used on the block drains, oil pan drain plug, differential plugs, oil cooler hose nuts, etc. It seals the threads and lubricates them for easier removal later. Since the threads are sealed, the torque required for sealing on the bolts and plugs is somewhat less. Particularly on the block drains and diff plugs, this makes later removal a lot easier without threat of thread or plug damage.
05-29-2011, 11:50 PM
#10
Team Owner
FWIW the block holds about 2.5 gallons draining the radiator wont change how much coolant is in the block the only way to drain the block is to remove the waterpump and have all that coolant run down the front of the engine Or open the block drains.
That said when you fit the washer and use the PTFE thread sealant the leak should go away.
NOTE when fitting the washer fit the smooth side towards the pump and ridge side to the head of the bolt
That said when you fit the washer and use the PTFE thread sealant the leak should go away.
NOTE when fitting the washer fit the smooth side towards the pump and ridge side to the head of the bolt
05-30-2011, 09:40 PM
#11
Race Director
Thread Starter
Okay a little more research.....here is another pic I borrowed from Dwayne that better shows the exact location of this hole...I can see why this one leaks through the bolt...not much gasket to the inside to seal it....
05-31-2011, 02:12 AM
#12
Chronic Tool Dropper
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Hmmm. Thread sealant paste won't do much for a failed gasket there. 
Maybe with Stan's suggestion about including the washer in the process, but realistically that's a patch-to-get-home solution at best.
Maybe with Stan's suggestion about including the washer in the process, but realistically that's a patch-to-get-home solution at best.
05-31-2011, 02:24 AM
#13
Have to ask.
What water pump are you using that is leaking?
The point that you indicated is a front cover bolt on point, and shouldn't have any way to leak.
What water pump are you using that is leaking?
The point that you indicated is a front cover bolt on point, and shouldn't have any way to leak.
05-31-2011, 02:45 AM
#14
Race Director
Thread Starter
Does anyone have a picture of an upside down waterpump....if the large bolt hole doesn't go all the way through..then there must be another problem....
I'll have to look closer at it....
