Water pump's leaking after ~3 months.

[TVR Sagaris]

I replaced the water pump, gasket and bypass hose about three months ago. It's already leaking again.

I put sealant around the gasket and I don't see why I would have done anything stupid with the bolts when I put the pump back on. I was really hoping it wasn't leaking at the join between the block and the pump but that seems like the only possible place it could be - the bypass hose and the top of the bottom hose are both dry. The water's dripping down onto the crank cover.

Could it be leaking from somewhere else and, if it isn't, why the hell has the bloody pump started leaking already?

[camelotr]

What type of fan are You using? I had problems with an aftermaket item, which was out of balance, and "ate" pumps within a month use.

[TVR Sagaris]

I think it's just the standard one. Two of the blades are damaged though, would that make a difference?

[Pitstopralph]

That would make the fan miles out of balance and destroy the water pump gland in no time.

[camelotr]

TVR Sagaris said:

I think it's just standard one. Two of the blades are damaged though, would that make a difference?

the

If the damage is severe enough, it can kill the pump bearing (not only inbalace, but the backpower of the propeller is not axial, but uneven.

It may be good to go for a new plastic one for safety.

[TVR Sagaris]

Does that mean I need to buy a new pump again then? Sounds like that's probably the problem.

Edit: thinking about it, I'm not so sure that is the problem. The fan isn't noisy, the damage is fairly minor and the old water pump lasted at least two years (it was on when I bought it) and I don't think the fan damage is very recent. I can't work out where the water is coming out of, which doesn't help. The pump isn't showing any of the signs of it being broken.

Edited by TVR Sagaris on Monday 23 August 22:19

[Pitstopralph]

What you could do, is pressurise the system and watch where the water comes from, you can get a cheap [Sykes] pressure tester or I have done it with a rad cap, tyre valve [fitted into the cap] and a bike pump.

Ralph

[camelotr]

Take care not to overpressurze the system, as the radiator will give up first (been there, done that )

[TVR Sagaris]

Thanks for the help. I've had the water pump off twice in the last two days and it finally seems to have stopped leaking. I'm still not sure what was causing the worst leak; the bypass hose had deteriorated and was letting water out (although not all the water) so I've replaced that and I thought the bottom hose was also leaking (not sure if it actually was) so I've replaced that too. The old pump gasket looked fine, but I've put a new one on with no new sealant.

So far so good, just hope it stays like that.