rossd0131

Hi guys, hope you can help.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/rossd0131/s3.jpg

I've recently noticed that my coolant level seems to be going down, very slowly, but it is going down.

I've managed to trace the drip to this point under the car but I cannot find the source of the leak. The fluid is taking the path of the read line (roughly) and driping from near the arrow end.

I've tried to trace it back with my finger but the space is too small for my hands to fit. Does anyone have any idea or suggestions as to where this may be comming from.

its a MY94/95 WRX wagon in standard condition.

The coolant only leaks when the engine is running and even then only seems to drip once every 5-10 seconds.

Any advice welcome.....and if I am not able to trace the leak.... Would radweld wreck the engine?

mart360

ross,

ultimatly a gasket or seal has or is failing or kaput.

the leak will always be worse when the engine is running as the system will

become pressurised.

you need to get it on a ramp, running to get the source spotted

its either seal gasket or core plug.

as for rad weld .. ive always used a dog turd..


mart

rossd0131

I was kinda hoping that there might be hose or pipe somewhere above the leak, so it would simply be a case of fitting a new hose or tightening a hose clamp I had it up on ramps in my garage to have a look, I could not find it exactly so I got the camera out and took a pic.

If it helps to diagnose the leak it seems to be comming from the rear nearside of the oil pan, but the first point I can see the line of cooland is where the red line comes from in the photo.


Sorry for being daft if this is a stupid question but what is the seal gasket and core plug?

mart360

its my falut for poor grammar

it could be one of the following.

a seal, either from a housing or other coolant ancillary

a gasket , head gasket water pump gasket, etc

core plug, around the engine are deformable plugs called core plugs, they are a safegard againt the coolant in the block freezing and cracking the block. the idea is the coreplug would be displaced, and the water would drain from the plug, thus saving the block from damage, one may be corroded, and leaking.


Mart

get it on ramps running at full temp, with a good light, and a few cloths, you should spot the leak


mart

rossd0131

thanks very much for your help mart. I've give it another look tomorrow.

Like I said, I had a look under the car earler tonight. The leak did not seem to be comming from the head gasket, which I thought was a good sign. I gave the area near the leak a good wash and dry, started her up, and watched as a drip slowly formed.

The trouble is, the water seems to be comming from an area that is blocked from sight by both the nearside header and the oil pan/sump so I was not able to trace it back to source.

Just to let me sleep a bit better tonight are there any core plugs, or anything alse in that area that could be causing the leak?

Sorry for being a pain and asking loads of questions but when somthing is broken I normally cant rest until I get it fixed.

rossd0131

any ideas?

Gidney&Knowlesy

Could be a hose leak, pressure test it to find out, if not could be head gasket or heads. Where they open up when hot enough & allow water to pass through........

rossd0131

Ok, I think I've traced the leak. Its comming from the water pump. Looks like either the gasket has burst/worn.

Anyone know whats involved in replacing the gasket (do i have to take the timing belt etc off, any special tools needed, how many hours work, etc) and/or how much it would cost to have a garrage put me out of my misery.

Cheers.

mart360

thermostat.. can be done in situ

water pump is a cambelt off jobby if my mem serves me correctly

i will check my manuals

mart

mart360

belt off i,m afraid..

its driven by the cam belt.. and you would need to remove that the do the biz,

not worth risking getting it wrong..

is it the gasket, or the telltale from the pump weeping


factor £150 belt & labour + 30 mins remove refit pump & price of gasket

i reckon your loooking at £200 +

mart

rossd0131

Thanks again for your help Mart... I'm on holiday tomorrow so I will make some calls and try and price it in my area. By the way, do haynes make a workshop manual for the Scoob?

mart360

Haynes...

dont make me laugh...

if you have a non turbo, you can get the haynes leggy manual.. the engine & drivetrain section are the same..

as for the turbo,s nope...

if you do a search for saxonfields on the web, you will fins a site that has the workshop manual in pdf format,

be warned some sections are 21mb only downloadable on bband..

to do the pump, its cambelt off, unbolt water pump, replace gasket, or pump

you dont know which yet. then replace belt..

dependant on the milage you may need a cambelt, in which case, the cost will be roughly what i said, assuming its just the gasket..

i had my cambelt done for £150.. unfortunatly my front crankseal went some time after..

a nice scooby friendly localish company did it for me for £82 that was £5 for the seal the rest was labour... (around £30 ph)

look at it this way, if you do the belt, seal & w/pump there all good for another 45k

Mart