Water leak, need a home repair any suggestions?

[markbigears]

Hi guys and girls.... bit of a problem, for some time i've had a small leak (a few drops now and again) from the car, which i put down to the radiator. The other day i was letting the car warm up and realised i was losing water from the car. On closer inspection i could see water dripping off the sump and with a torch traced the leak to the front of the engine in the water pump/thermostat housing region. My nearest dealer is waldonway but I don't what to chance driving it that far. Can anyone suggest anyone that could do the job for me? either a mobile mechanic or a dealer in the gravesend area that i could take it too. Any help greatly appreciated as i'm a bit stuck! Best regards, Mark.

[GreenV8S]

What car, what engine?

[markbigears]

Hi Peter, its a 1991 S3C 2.9

[GreenV8S]

If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, try to track down where the leaking is coming from. It can help just to wipe all the wet areas dry with paper towels and see which bits get wet. If it's pouring out, you won't need to do this. There's a good chance that it's just the water pump seal gone in which case you'll find water dribling out of a small hole at the bottom of the water pump cover. That would be good news because the water pump won't cost much and any local motor mechanic should be able to fit it in his sleep.

[markbigears]

Thanks Peter, this was my first thought too. But i just can't see when its leaking. Been under the car and around the car from various angles. Can I ask where exactly is the water pump cover? i'm not finding the bible much help at all. Is it located at the top of the fan belt drive?

Edited by markbigears on Friday 13th October 15:23

Edited by markbigears on Friday 13th October 15:36

[Tyre Smoke]

markbigears said:

Hi Peter, its a 1991 S3C 2.9

To be honest, any decent local spanner monkey should be able to do this for you. It's standard Ford V6 fare.

If you want main stealer, go to your local Ford.

Or, as others have said, fairly straight forward DIY.

[GreenV8S]

markbigears said:

Can I ask where exactly is the water pump cover? i'm not finding the bible much help at all. Is it located at the top of the fan belt drive?

The fan belt goes round the bottom pulley on the crank, the alternator, and the water pump pulley. The water pump pulley is high up and central at the front of the engine. The thing behind the water pump pulley is the water pump. It's quite big with lots of bolts round the outside holding it to the timing cover, and you'll find the stat housing is bolted to it low down on the near side. So if you find the main hoses from the engine to the rad, one will go to the water pump inlet and the other will come from the stat housing.

[markbigears]

Many thanks for all your help Peter, this gives me something to go on tonight.