water leak - pump?

[Phil_the_Chill]

My wife's K10 is losing water again... the hoses are OK.. but when up to pressure I can see a trickle from what looks like the area of the water pump near the fan belt pulley.

I fitted a new pump just over a year ago so rather than the pump seal could this be simply due to the gasket failing?

I need some way of pumping up the system without running the engine... I am wondering if I can throw together a special fitting the could go in the heater connection or something and then be pressurised with a bike pump to show me the leak?

Thanks

 

[Arnold]

Although the part is new, it doesnt mean it's not the problem. You may need to redo the gasket or replace the pump itself!

 

[Phil_the_Chill]

Actually I am wondering now if I didn't overtighten one of the pump retaining bolts all that time ago. They are only threaded allow holes I guess. I have some faint memory... or is just the vague recollection of an anxiety that I would strip one?? aghhhh I will find out tonight.

 

[Phil_the_Chill]

The gasket was gone at one point. I stuck the new pump on anyway and used that blue sealant stuff rather than the provided cardboard.
As usual I felt uncomfortable doing up the pump retaining bolts. They don't seem to get to a point where they are "tight as can be" In the sense that with a 12 inch long socket wrench you get the definite feeling that you could overtighten and snap something. I stopped at a point I thought was tight but before stripping them or something.
The only problem with the job was that I managed to strip the alternator slide nut!! I flogged up the two bigger retaining nuts to hold it in place but will need to solve this soon.
Also the wife's starter has become intolerable... the grind!! I looked at the motor teeth and they are pretty burred. If I swap the motor will it solve the problem? I don't fancy having to spring for a new starter ring.

thanks

Swapped motor and it is perfect! The old motor had lost about 5mm of teeth.. just rounded off!

 

[Fordy]

you wolly, gaskets are used for a reason, get that pump off and put a gasket on it

 

[SammoHung]

chortle!!!!

 

[Phil_the_Chill]

Actually I don't tend to get that opinionated myself. It isn't really a high pressure joint - probably a few psi in normal operation. Not a lot compared to say the cylinders.
Also I was just taking guidance from another pump related article from micra.org

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Have you tried mating it up to the engine? Most of the times smaller engines are the same block with either a larger/longer/smaller bore and stroke so all ancillaries fit. At a guess I'd say yes it's going to fit unless theres a major engine change at your year. The gasket I wouldn't reuse. Get a tube of Hylomar blue.

Charlotte

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I think it will work out. But yeah I will be sure to return to the space-age cardboard if the Hylomar Blue gives trouble. In engineering terms it just wouldn't be a critical failure. More of a nurse it home job.

Thanks

It is relevant to note that Hylomar Blue has been used for jointing boiler connections on steam plant - without gasket - and can take 65 psi under these conditions. Thats about 4.3 bar in old money. If I was getting that in my coolant system i would be in big trouble already.