water loss from MG ZS 1.8

[cookie400]

Hi guys (and gals)
Recently my 1.8 MG ZS has been guzzling more water and i fear it could be the water pump?! Have checked for mayo in the oil filler cap and all is clear so think i can rule out the head gasket. Car has done 43k miles. I am topping up the header tank by about 1 litre a week at moment.
Had a quick look under the bonnet and around all the belts but couldnt see any sign of significant water loss. If anyone could tell me how much the water pumps are, are what kind of a job it is? I usually service the car myself, and as it is due an oil change soon might aswell do the lot together.
Looking at the area where its located do i have to lift engine as the engine mount seems to stop me getting a new belt on?

Any help appreciated.

thanks.
Ali.

[timbo48]

MGJohn should be along any time now.......

[MG CHRIS]

Just recently replaced the water pump on my zs 1.8 as it was lossing roughly the same as yours its not an especially hard job but it runs off the timing belt, im a apprentice so it easier for me as i done loads of them.

If you are going to do it replace the timing belt at the same time parts if i remember where 20 quid for water pump and 50 quid for the timing belt something around that. If you dont fell confadent in replacing the timing belt its around 3-4 hours book time so should cost around 100-130 labour depending on labour charges.

To replace the timing belt and water pump you got to remove the engine mount, auxhilery belts, bottom crank pulley and timing belt covers. There are 2 arrows on the cam pulleys which should point towards each other and a mark on the crank allign these marks. There is a tool to lock the 2 cam pulleys in place so they dont move. Once you done that slaken of tensions and remove belt, there is 6 bolts holding on the water pump remove and refit water pump and reverse of the removal. Get a manuel for it make things a lot easier.

Also check on the back of the engine the inlet manafold gasket can break and leak collant which also went on mine that is a job you can do easily yourself.

Is there any patches of coolant under the car if there is see what part of the engine ist under and look around for any places for coolant to leak.

Hope that helps

Edited by MG CHRIS on Thursday 28th July 20:15

[cookie400]

Thanks peeps. Never done a time ing belt before so am tempted just to pay the cash to my local friendly garage. Although will check all round the engine tonight whilst its running just to double check it is the water pump. May aswell get all the belts done at same time just for peace of mind.
I was worried it was the head gasket, with 43k on the engine and still on its original, but there are no tell tale signs as yet!
Once again thanks, will post up when its sorted.

[MG CHRIS]

Sometimes with a hgf there may not be any signs of mayo type substunce of the oil cap. So get a garage to do a sniff test which involves placeing an emission tester over the expansion bottle and if hydro-carbon is detected the head gaskets has gone.