Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 08:03:49 -0500
Reply-To: John Wallace <jwallace@MSAD43.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Wallace <jwallace@MSAD43.ORG>
Subject: Re: Water pump cold-weather question
In-Reply-To: <81562a00a24cc9d117cc42d027bf1fc3@knology.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET> writes:
>My 90 vanagon has been used only a little this winter, but whether I
>park it inside or out, I see at least a little bit of coolant under the
>water pump.
>
>It doesn't lose enough to make it run hot, and I keep the coolant
>topped up anyway.
>
>I haven't investigated thoroughly enough to determine where it's
>leaking from, but I'd like to know if it's time to order a water pump.
>Here are the symptoms:
>
>Throughout the winter, slight leak of coolant from waterpump area.
>
>Drove 1000 miles last week to the gulf and back. It was warmer (70s)
>down there, and I experience no leak, no drop in coolant.
>
>I've been back for two days and it's been down into the thirties at
>night, and I've seen a puddle both days.
>
>Does this sound like a water pump seal?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Jim
Jim,
I had a leak from my old pump last year. It was one of the connections, I
believe it was the lower allen bolt on the pipe on the left bottom of the
pump. You'll have to jack her up and then get under with a flash light.
They are 6mm allen and I put the allen (from a set I have or just cut a
short one off a regular allen) in a 6mm socket with a long extension to
get to it to tighten it from under the van.
A year later the pump started making a weird noise and I immediately
shut-er-down. Pump bearings were gone. I don't think the leak and the
bearings were actually related. I replaced the pump myself...took my
time...a couple of days...when something didn't go right, I'd walk away
and have a sip of Black Velvet, and return later...kept me from cussing
and throwing stuff...haha. A new pump from the Bus Depot was about $50
bucks...cheap enough.
Go to http://www.benplace.com/ as he has step by step with pics on how to
replace the pump.
Also make sure it's not the heads that are leaking. My 88 Wollfsburg's
heads leak when the outside temp overnight goes much below about 25-30F.
during the summer months it's not an issue. But I do check my oil and
coolant levels frequently.
If one of the pipe connections are a bit loose then as the engine cools
down to cold temps and it contracts then spaces between the pump and
connections open and may leak out coolant.
Bottom line...if your not sure...I'd replace the pump...cheap insurance.
John Wallace
88 Wolfsburg 4speed
136,000miles
Rumford, Maine
