Waterpump gasket

[Beastynotch]

I have an aluminum water pump on my 88 coupe and I think it has a tiny leak in the gasket. Should I replace the whole water pump or just the gasket? Car has no cooling issues what so ever but just has a really small drop when it's cold, I think when it heats up it might actually stop leaking.

[Trojan Horse]

Originally Posted by Beastynotch

I have an aluminum water pump on my 88 coupe and I think it has a tiny leak in the gasket. Should I replace the whole water pump or just the gasket? Car has no cooling issues what so ever but just has a really small drop when it's cold, I think when it heats up it might actually stop leaking.

Check the weep hole on the under side of the shaft support.
If it is leaking there it is time for a new pump.

[Nicolosi11480]

also check the backside of the elbow hose for a small puncture or hole,it has happened to me on a 5.0 explorer already.installed a water pump didnt remove the hose from the engine so i just stuck it on topped it off cranked it up then i found the real culprit.if you gotta pull the pump and you got a few bucks to spend maybe itll be worth it to buy a better water pump. in my opinion at least replace that elbow hose since water pump is coming off anyway.

[Beastynotch]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm hoping to have my custom cam in by the end of summer so I'm thinking I'll probably just wait til then to do anything with the water pump. It's not a big leak at all, only left about a half dollar size spot on the driveway after 4/5 days and coolant is still full. Thanks.

[Nicolosi11480]

i agree with that.might as well wait and kill as many birds with the same stone ya know?

[Trojan Horse]

That will work, IF the leak doesn't get worse, which they are inclined to do over time.

If it's a gasket then the pressure blowing past it is going to keep eating away at it.
If it is the internal pump shaft seal, the rotation of the pump is going to progressively make it worse.
I'd fix it so it didn't leave me stranded somewhere or overheat and ruin my engine.

[93slowstang]

Originally Posted by Trojan Horse

That will work, IF the leak doesn't get worse, which they are inclined to do over time.

If it's a gasket then the pressure blowing past it is going to keep eating away at it.
If it is the internal pump shaft seal, the rotation of the pump is going to progressively make it worse.
I'd fix it so it didn't leave me stranded somewhere or overheat and ruin my engine.

+1. And when it comes time for the cam you won't have to take it back off. It will stay attached to the timing cover.