Water pump problems

[morrella1967]

Hi my 71 traveler is heating up very quickly after only being running less than 10 minutes with steam coming from the radiator filler cap. I've changed the hoses, flushed the rad (which is still intact), tightened the fan belt and changed the thermostat. The water doesn't seem to be flowing so could this be down to the water pump?

Many thanks in advance
Jake

[panky]

More likely to be a knackered thermostat, did the problem occur after you changed it?

[morrella1967]

Nope it was running hot before I changed it, I might take the stat out and test it to be sure, otherwise I'm stumped!! The only thing I haven't looked at is the pump and I keep thinking maybe it is that? Or a blockage somewhere

[bmcecosse]

Most likely a blown head gasket I think..... But I do believe it's not unknown for the thin impeller on the 'new' pumps to rot away - so may well be worth pulling it out for a look see.

[morrella1967]

Would you be able to see oil in the water in the rad? If it was a blown head gasket? There does seem to be two 'separate' substances when looking into the top of the rad

[bmcecosse]

Not good....lift the head!

[Trickydicky]

After replacing the gasket take out the radiator and fill it with a small amount of water, hold the radiator with its front face to the floor and give it a shake, do this a couple of times replacing the water and you will be surprised how much silt is still yet to come out.

[morrella1967]

Good news!! I had a mechanic come and look at it and it turns out it's not a head gasket!! Im fitting a new rad and pump and that should cure the problem!!
Thank you for your help!!

[bmcecosse]

Hope so - but expensive repairs that may not be necessary.... It's VERY unusual for pumps to give problems, and rads can just be flushed out if choked with muck....... You can't tell it's not the head gasket unless you lift the head....

[morrella1967]

He lifted the head..... And well there's nothing wrong with belt and braces and all that!! Saves problems later on!

[bmcecosse]

Ah good! And no sign of water/cylinder leakage. May as well grind the valves in while it's off! Is there much 'muck' to be seen in the water passages ?