Water pump?

[surfaaron]

I went out to my car this morning and found a puddle of coolant under it. It looks like it might be from the water pump? How hard are they to change out and are there any tricks or anything I should look for. It only seems to leak when it is sitting. I started it up and nothing came out. Thanks for any help.

 

[One_Way]

A water pump will leak out of the "weep hole" when the engine is turned off. Usually a cooling system is under it's highest pressure when the engine is turned off.

Nothing really hard to change it out, just be ready to spend a few hours. A shop manual wil have the step-by-step instructions if you decide to replace the pump yourself.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[surfaaron]

Is the weep hole on the top or on the bottom. I am trying to figure out if it is coming from the lower hose or the pump. If it is coming out of the weep hole does that mean the pump is bad our does it just release pressure from there. Thanks for the help.

 

[One_Way]

The weep hole faces down and is below the impeller shaft.

 

[surfaaron]

So if it leaks out does it mean it is bad or just relieving pressure?

 

[One_Way]

Coolant leaking out of the weep hole indicates the water pump needs to be replaced.

Best way to be sure is get under the car and shine a flash light up at the bottom of the water pump. The weep hole will be wet with coolant or there will be a noticeable stain leading from the weep hole.

Hope this helps.

 

[surfaaron]

Thanks for all the help. Is there anything I should replace while the pump is out.

 

[One_Way]

Check the hoses also. If the upper and lower hoses feel soft, might as well replace those too. Don't forget to use new coolant.

Can't think of anything else.

 

[surfaaron]

Thanks for answering all of my stupid questions. I really do appreciate all the help. I am going to give it a shot on thurs so I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again.