Lubricating the water pump

[ianmack]

Having some water pump noise I have been advised to put some brake fluid in the coolant to provide lubrication. I've never heard of this before but I suppose brake fluid would mix with the water and not harm metal or rubber. Has anyone heard of this before? Anyone tried it? Does it work?

[palacebear]

I can't help with the brake fluid suggestion but some water pumps have a lubrication point with a cap covering it. Check the appropriate workshop manual for your engine as it seems that the recommended lubricant varies (e.g. LM grease on UHSM engines; SAE140 oil on APHM engines. Can't lay my hands on info for APJM, 9M or 10M engines

[oliver90owner]

Pumps generally have a seal to prevent liquid passing by. The shaft is generally lubricated. They are not the same. If water is seeping from the weep hole, the seal is failing or perhaps leaking because the shaft bearing has failed. Adding anything to the wet side will not improve the shaft lubrication.

[ianmack]

Thanks for the replies. Sadly this pump doesn't have a grease nipple.

Adding lubricant to the water side will help on one side of the seal, how far in will depend how far in it can creep against the seal, and the pump has not been used for several years so a bit of creeping might be possible. Holts used to sell a water pump lubricant which mixed with the coolant so there should be some possibility of benefit (unless of course the product was no more than 'snake oil'). I haven't seen it in a shop for years.

Given that the alternative is a new pump I don't think there's anything to lose by trying the brake fluid idea.

[Budgie]

You could try engineering emulsified oil / coolant that's used in turning , drilling, general machining .

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Are you sure its not a slack fan belt causing the squeak? Should be about half an inch of belt deflection on its longest run.