Discussion
Last week, I noticed for the first time a leak of coolant coming from the front part of the engine bay. First time a few drops and then more and more till approx 100ml. I left the car t rest for 2 days and I saw coolant on the main belt quite high in the motor between the teeths of one of the cam (the one vertically under the higher one).
I add coolant in the reserve tanker (left side rear)which was almost empty (2 cm left over lower tube). I had no air in the main tanker (right side motor bay) and no bubbles in the radiator (small cap on left side).
Since then I do not have any leak!!!!! I use the car everyday 2 X 10 miles and everything is normal (temp, power,...)I HATE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS
My guess is that it is coming from the pump itself. How can I check that? Any other idea?
Any help would be good. Thanks
Ben
88 N/A
I add coolant in the reserve tanker (left side rear)which was almost empty (2 cm left over lower tube). I had no air in the main tanker (right side motor bay) and no bubbles in the radiator (small cap on left side).
Since then I do not have any leak!!!!! I use the car everyday 2 X 10 miles and everything is normal (temp, power,...)I HATE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS
My guess is that it is coming from the pump itself. How can I check that? Any other idea?
Any help would be good. Thanks
Ben
88 N/A
Aside from a friend pulling a prank like squirting some coolant from a squeeze bottle under the car. (It is funny when you do it someone else
) Check the weep hole on pump shaft housing. If it is leaking you should also find some residue on bottom tray. Take a good look at all the hoses. Jack the car up on stands and have crawl under the car.
Calvin 90 SE
) Check the weep hole on pump shaft housing. If it is leaking you should also find some residue on bottom tray. Take a good look at all the hoses. Jack the car up on stands and have crawl under the car. Calvin 90 SE
Hi,
Sorry to hear of your troubles. To add to what Calvin said, if when checking the 'weep' hole, situated just behind and the waterpump pulley, underneath the shaft, if you find any coolant at all, your waterpump is failing and will require a rebuild. Sorry for the bad news. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
Sorry to hear of your troubles. To add to what Calvin said, if when checking the 'weep' hole, situated just behind and the waterpump pulley, underneath the shaft, if you find any coolant at all, your waterpump is failing and will require a rebuild. Sorry for the bad news. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
Thanks for the reply 
So I checked the pump. Due to the location of the coolant I am 100% sure it was it but now I do not see or feel any drop of liquid on the pump, the belt, the connections or the undertray.
The Lotus dealer told me that he ordered for his personnal stock a new water pump 28 weeks ago and he was not yet delivered. So he suggest to use a product to improve the sealing of the connections (bourrage or joints,I miss the perfect word in english, sorry) What do you think about it?
As already stated I do not leak any drop, do I have to limit my trips, to repair at any price?
I am with coolant in the trunk as needed. Thanks again for any help.
Ben
>> Edited by bher on Thursday 20th February 13:51
So I checked the pump. Due to the location of the coolant I am 100% sure it was it but now I do not see or feel any drop of liquid on the pump, the belt, the connections or the undertray.
The Lotus dealer told me that he ordered for his personnal stock a new water pump 28 weeks ago and he was not yet delivered. So he suggest to use a product to improve the sealing of the connections (bourrage or joints,I miss the perfect word in english, sorry) What do you think about it?
As already stated I do not leak any drop, do I have to limit my trips, to repair at any price?
I am with coolant in the trunk as needed. Thanks again for any help.
Ben
>> Edited by bher on Thursday 20th February 13:51
I would keep close attention and check the pump often. Did you have any service work that might have required the dealer to loosen or remove a hose or such? Sometimes there is spill over from such work. I always keep a container of pre-mixed coolant and extra oil in the car. A water pump will not all of a sudden quit working It usually leaks then gets worse and sometimes starts making noise as time goes by. Even if you spotted it going out you will surely be able to make it many miles before the car is undrivable. Keep a close eye on the coolant levels at every fill up of fuel and check for leaks often.
Jim, ever hear of water pump going out all of a sudden without warning? Only time was when the whole shaft sheared off, but that was on another type of car.
Calvin
Jim, ever hear of water pump going out all of a sudden without warning? Only time was when the whole shaft sheared off, but that was on another type of car.
Calvin
Hi,
It's possible for a waterpump to fail all of a sudden, but it's not too common. You have approximately 11 hose connections in the vicinity of the waterpump and any of these could be leaking, especially once the engine has heated up and the cooling system pressurises.
Since it's not too feasible to check each of these when the engine is hot, a better method is to have the cooling system pressure checked. I own a pressure tester, which essentially is a pump which allows you to pressurise the system without heating it. A competant radiator shop should have similar equipment and can check this for you.
If it turns out to be the pump, do not buy a new one ($600USD). Instead, have your existing pump rebuilt. There are several kits which you can buy and once repaired, you essentially have a new pump anyway.(cost-$150USD + $25 in machine shop charges).
Do not use any cooling system sealers! These can foul the cooling system, especially the coolant passages in the head and reduce your overall system volume reducing the system's capability to remove heat. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
It's possible for a waterpump to fail all of a sudden, but it's not too common. You have approximately 11 hose connections in the vicinity of the waterpump and any of these could be leaking, especially once the engine has heated up and the cooling system pressurises.
Since it's not too feasible to check each of these when the engine is hot, a better method is to have the cooling system pressure checked. I own a pressure tester, which essentially is a pump which allows you to pressurise the system without heating it. A competant radiator shop should have similar equipment and can check this for you.
If it turns out to be the pump, do not buy a new one ($600USD). Instead, have your existing pump rebuilt. There are several kits which you can buy and once repaired, you essentially have a new pump anyway.(cost-$150USD + $25 in machine shop charges).
Do not use any cooling system sealers! These can foul the cooling system, especially the coolant passages in the head and reduce your overall system volume reducing the system's capability to remove heat. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
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