'91 Q45 has a green watery discharge...eewww!!

[91Q4U]

A week ago I noted an antifreeze leak from the bottom bolt of my water pump. About 2 to 4 tablespoons worth drip out when the car is cold. After it has warmed up, the leak stops and does not occur until after the car sits overnight. Runs at the proper temp, heater works well, etc. Am I to assume that the seal between the block and the pump is going south? Would the proper full head-on repair be to change the entire water pump or just the seal? This car has 130,000 on it and is not driven on a daily basis. I have tightened all of the water pump bolts which seems to slow this small leak somewhat. Please advise.

[elwesso]

the water pump is designed to leak whenever it goes bad...... new pumps are like $100 so go ahead and replace it and take outthe chance of overheating.

[Raxephon]

A week ago I noted an antifreeze leak from the bottom bolt of my water pump. ........... I have tightened all of the water pump bolts which seems to slow this small leak somewhat......

....the water pump is designed to leak whenever it goes bad......

I thought when a water pump goes bad, (or is going bad), you'll get a leak from the "PEE" hole, not the actual pump-to-block mounting bolts.

Q45 waterpumps are designed to leak at the bolts as well?

[elwesso]

Regardless, i think he shoudl replace his water pump, unless its been replaced already one time...

[Raxephon]

Regardless, i think he shoudl replace his water pump, unless its been replaced already one time...

I completely agree with R/R the pump.

Still doesn't answer my question though.

Are the waterpumps on Q45's designed to leak from the bolts as well as the "pee" hole?

I've never seen it before, but I'd really like to know how they did it.(If they did)

[squeefoo]

Never in all my life have I seen a pump leak from the bolts unless loose, only the piss port....and usually the bottom one. The coolant contains lubricants for the bushings, another good reason to change it.

Drove a Furd van that had the bushings so wiped out that you could grab the fan and move it 2" back and forth, and it never leaked, even though the impeller was eating a hole in the block. Sounded like crap too. Cheap bastiges wouldn't fix it -b/c it didn't leak !!!!!! Finally emptied out the radiator and it looked like sparkly green boat paint coming out.

[CGB]

I completely agree with R/R the pump.

Still doesn't answer my question though.

Are the waterpumps on Q45's designed to leak from the bolts as well as the "pee" hole?

I've never seen it before, but I'd really like to know how they did it.(If they did)

I had the same problem with my 92. It appears as if the leak comes from one of the bolts, but if you were able to look close enough, most likely you'll find that the leak is from the "nose" of the pump, due to failing bearing/seal and trickles down to the lower bolt/s.

This was my experience when my car had 120000.

As a side note, I agree with replacing the pump and look for signs of anything abnormal.

CGB

[elwesso]

thats what i was thinking..... When it trickles, it will run down the snout of the pump and then make it look like it was the bolt.

[elwesso]

THis hasnt been mentioned, but you really need to check your coolant level and make sure its not getting too low.....