Water Leak

[moggie-tom]

Hello

I appear to have a water leak at the bottom of the engine, near the crankshaft pulley, between the block and the front cover. Any ideas?

Thanks

[moggiethouable]

With a little luck its the drain hole at the base of the water pump, which means water leaking past the seals which in turn means a repaired or new pump, with the engine turned off and everything nice and cool put your hand under the water pump, you will locate a small hole at the base of the casting/body, if theres water there, its dribbling down to the crank pulley.

[moggie-tom]

Ok, I will have a look at that. The leak only appears when the engine is up to temperature and the water is flowing round the system.

Thanks

[moggiethouable]

Ok, I will have a look at that. The leak only appears when the engine is up to temperature and the water is flowing round the system.

Thanks

Ah well, just mind your fingers on hot engine bits then.

[sudburypaul]

That's because it is pressurised and the water is being forced out of the leak-hole. You probably won't see it while the engine is running, but get it up to temperature and then turn it off. You'll see the water dripping from the hole if you crawl underneath for a look. If you've got a 948 or 1098 engine a new pump is only about £14.00, so hardly worth reparing the old one. It's an easy enough job to replace it. You'll need a new paper gasket and fixing bolts too. While it is off, if you have the 'concertina' bypass hose fitted change it to a standard straight hose. This will save you much grief and grazed fingers when the concertina one disintegrates (which they do regularly) - and possibly an overheated engine too!

Regards, Paul

[tomas.geoghegan]

HI I fitted a Blue silicone hose much stronger than the standard bi pass hose . And a Normal straight hose. I dont no if the color makes any difference. which i bought from the grate ESM Minor spares. And don"t forget the new bolts And i put a bit of gasket sealer as well just put a little bit on the two facing surfaces . And make sure the two surfaces are very clean.
And paper Gasket.
Take your time A Easy Job.
Tomas

[bmcecosse]

It's almost certainly the bypass hose leaking - change it urgently before it bursts..........

[moggie-tom]

Ok, I'll do some investigating. I had a look on ESM at the water pump and they suggest replacing the thermostat at the same time, is this really necessary?

[bmcecosse]

Absolutely not - what a load of tosh....... It's 'never' the thermostat. Almost certainly all you need here is a new bypass hose -as above - NOT the ghastly concertina type. You may need to take the water pump off to get the new 'solid' hose on - so have a gasket for the pump 'in stock' before you start - and new clips for the hose... And if the fan belt is past it's best - good chance to fit a new one !

[kennatt]

perhaps esm think the stat is part of the waterpump and so fit a new one at the same time As mbc says TOSH

[moggie-tom]

Just changed the bypass hose this afternoon and it appears to have stopped the leak. What an annoying little part it is!

[bmcecosse]

Indeed - cause of much mayhem over the years..... Rover eventually eliminated it. Many of us have too!

[katy]

don"t forget the new bolts

Why are you suggesting new bolts? What's wrong w/using the old ones?

[bmcecosse]

Usually nothing! Never been a problem for me.......

[MarkyB]

Beats me too, they aren't stretch bolts and are of good quality metal with the proper shoulders to suit the pump, replacing them properly would be a PITA!

[katy]

That's my take on it also.