4 replies to this topic

[rizo9]

Cars been moted after my refresh however I've now got a coolant leak from near the cambelt cover. It's had a new water pump in and has been running fine until the mot. Only leaks when up to temperature. There's a tiny tiny leak from. The oil cooler but not enough to cause it to get to the cambelt cover.

[Nev]

Have you got too much tension on the cambelt? I had once, and it caused the water pump to leak. When tensioning the cambelt, you can be deceived into thinking that you've got it setup right (between the min/max markers), but then when you drive the car and inspect the markers I've found the pointer way beyond the max tightness level. Worth checking, as I think too much cambelt tension can knacker the water pump by pulling it's bearing off centre and cause a leak. Also, try putting some dye in your water and see if it is dribbling out of the water pump area as another form of checking. Hopefully my car will be up and running soon, I'll have to potter up your way and drop in.

Edited by Nev, 05 April 2014 - 04:49 PM.

[rizo9]

Have you got too much tension on the cambelt? I had once, and it caused the water pump to leak. When tensioning the cambelt, you can be deceived into thinking that you've got it setup right (between the min/max markers), but then when you drive the car and inspect the markers I've found the pointer way beyond the max tightness level. Worth checking, as I think too much cambelt tension can knacker the water pump by pulling it's bearing off centre and cause a leak. Also, try putting some dye in your water and see if it is dribbling out of the water pump area as another form of checking.

Thanks Nev. It was slightly past the new belt setting . I've adjusted it but it's still leaking. Does that mean the water pump needs replacing again? Really frustrating as it wasn't leaking when the rear clam was off.

[Nev]

Hmmm, well I bought a pattern part pump once and it started leaking in about 5000 miles. I then binned it and replaced with an OEM pump from Vauxhall which seems good so far... If you take it off, inspect the rubber seal behind it is correctly seated and the 3 bolts that clamp it down with equal torque. At the end of the day, it is likely to be a sh*t pump, they are quite well known to be regular fail points. I've had 3 on my car in approx. 40,000 miles so far ! Before you strip the pump off, obviously check the jubilee clips on the oil cooler area are tight etc.

Edited by Nev, 05 April 2014 - 05:02 PM.

[rizo9]

Hmmm, well I bought a pattern part pump once and it started leaking in about 5000 miles. I then binned it and replaced with an OEM pump from Vauxhall which seems good so far... If you take it off, inspect the rubber seal behind it is correctly seated and the 3 bolts that clamp it down with equal torque. At the end of the day, it is likely to be a sh*t pump, they are quite well known to be regular fail points. I've had 3 on my car in approx. 40,000 miles so far ! Before you strip the pump off, obviously check the jubilee clips on the oil cooler area are tight etc.

Mines a pattern one from autovaux. I'll whip it out and get a genuine one in there. Need to replace the oil cooler as there's a slight leak in the plastic housing. Probably been leaking for ages and just happen to notice it now.