Morris Minor Owners Club

I noticed a water drip from behind the bottom pulley wheel today, can I take it this is coming from the water pump?

Idris.

Or bypass hose - A small leak there will see the water running down over the water pump body and dripping off fooling you into thinking it's the pump.

It's worth fittng a new bypass when replacing the pump anyway, so one way or the other a new pump will probably cure it ;)

I changed all the hoses a few months back including bypass. I'll have a good look at it tomorrow when I've got some scruffy clothes on (wife thinks I wear scruffy clothes all the time mmphh, no sense of fashion

Idris.

I've also seen cylinder heads cracked under the thermostat plenum.

I know someone with a Mini. He changed the bypass, top and bottom hoses a few months ago. The bypass hose let go a few weeks later, and the top and bottom hoses are already looking very perished and tired!

So just because it's nearly new doesn't mean it's any good

Question ..

Is it thought to be best to rebuild a waterpump with new seals and bearings or to just get a pattern one ?

I changed the one on mirium for a pattern one and the pattern one seemed low quality compared to the origional?

If the bypass hose was the ghastly convoluted thing - GET RID of it !! Only use the solid thickwall straight side bypass hose.
Re water pump -- I can't imagine where you would get the seals and bearings - new pumps are only £10/15.

I believe you can also get a cast iron one at extra cost, don't know if the quality would be any better though!?

i use the cast iron ones, no better or worse really

just more expensive?

bought mine as a job lot quite a few years ago now.
do not know how much the cast ones are

Doubt you can get iron pump these days - all aluminium for many years. have to say - never had any bother with these - but now - having said that I had better start carrying a spare with me !

The bypass hose let go a few weeks later, and the top and bottom hoses are already looking very perished and tired!

Same for me = the bottom hose is 6 months old and cracking.

Peetee wrote: Same for me = the bottom hose is 6 months old and cracking.

It doesn't happen to proudly proclaim "Made In England" does it? I'm wondering if this is another of those low quality remanufactured parts issues...

A bit like his bought 6 months ago cheapo chrome bumpers are already looking as rough as my OEM 34 year old ones!

How right you are bmcecosse!!
Just checked and found the small bypass hose is leaking - it's about 8 months old (and it is the convoluted thing).
I have a new heater hose in the garage - can I cut a piece off that and make it fit or is the diameter all wrong?
I had a bit of a struggle getting the convoluted one on, so is there a knack to fitting a straight piece (at least the other type was flexible)?

Thanks,

Idris.

Heater hose may be the right size. Need to take the water pump off - only 4 bolts - or the head off ! I'm guessing you will prefer the pump. So you need water pump gasket and by-pass hose. Phone MOSS - Postie delivers to my door 8am next morning without fail !!

Cheers bmc

Idris

I notice there's a hole on the underside of the water pump. What's it for?
You wouldn't notice it if you didn't take the pump off. Do I put some grease in it?
Idris.

No - it's just there to let any water that gets past the seal run out

Job done,

I couldn't believe the state of that small pipe after only 8 months

Idris.