Great a new addition to my problems - greeted to a puddle of something tonight!!

[Q-less]

New problem: I went to my car after work tonight and saw what looked like a fairly large puddle of oil. Upon further inspection and after I cranked my car up I could see the green radiator fluid leaking behind the bottom engine covers. I had just checked the oil yesterday and it was fine. Over the last week I had noticed my temperature gauge would be a little below the midpoint after the car was warmed up and then it would gradually decrease back to the cold mark, it would go back up a little then down again. It did this over the summer one time only and I dismissed it as it never happened again until recently. Now, could it be a temperature sensor that screws into the radiator that has cracked due to age and freezing temps and is leaking out through the threads (hopefully that simple). I had an Rx7 that did this once, or is it more sinister. It looks damp on the drivers side along the back of the radiator at some connections to the radiator. Could this be causing the gurgling sounds if the Q is not getting a good temp reading of the coolant?

I agree Wes, MY Q isn't a good winter car apparently.

[DAEDALUS]

The gurgling is air. Hopefully you haven't overheated somewhere(s) along the way. Down in that corner there's both the lower radiator hose connection and a temp sensor. When was the lower hose installed last? Could be a broken hose fitting, which is best fixed with a new radiator, though a shop might be able to salvage it.

[Q-less]

I hope not, I have only drove about 3 miles to work and back since schools been out for two weeks and the symptom just returned. Could the air have caused a crack or the temp sensor to go.

Do you have AIM, whats your handle if you do?

[Q-less]

BTW, I was supposed to get the fuel pump and etc today but their was a big pile up in Ohio and apparently everything goes through there so I can't do the fuel pump tomorrow as planned so I will have all day to pinpoint the leakage so thanks in advance for any heads up. If the parts come in tomorrow afternoon I'll get to the pump, and hopefully the leak is a small issue that Advance or Autozone will carry a part for.

I was hoping I could relax Saturday. My fiance is going to be pissed, I haven't had time to shop yet and won't tomorrow, especially without transportation.

[Q-less]

Would the thermostat or the thermoswitch cause the irregular readings?

[DAEDALUS]

I doubt air would cause the damage; more likely it's a symptom. The temp readings could be from a bad connection, a bad sensor, or possibly very low coolant. Check the coolant level. If the system is almost empty the sensor might be dry or maybe it's just not circulating properly. You'll just have to look and see. Take of the caps, hopefully the system is completely full.You can email me through NICO but I'm on NICO more than anything else!

Edit: I forgot the gauge sensor is higher up, so it takes less coolant loss before it's no longer reading coolant temp. The ECU sensor is the lower one. Check the level. I got your AOL message, but hours too late. I often stay logged in even though I'm away from my desk.

[elwesso]

Yes..... If there is not enough coolant (full) then the sensors will not read...

Do what robert said by refilling the coolant.. Also, be sure to open the heater core valve... Turn the car on, press OFF on the display and hold until it does segment check.. Press warmer twice, and press defrost thrice.. You should have "43" on the display.. Then add your coolant.....

I would suspect that your coolant leak is somewhere in the radiator area, hopefully the radiator isnt leaking.....

If the parts come in tomorrow afternoon I'll get to the pump, and hopefully the leak is a small issue that Advance or Autozone will carry a part for.

I woudlnt count on autozone having anything trustworty for the Q45 in that regard.. Hopefully its just a leaky hose, which they would have a makeshift replacement you could use until you can get one from Joe...

Next time you take the car out (and hte coolant is full).. Pop the hood and make sure that the engine is in fact hot... Might be the gauge inside is flaky... Really its not a bad idea to replace the coolant sensor if your iffy, because its only $20...

[Q-less]

I got the fuel pump and filter installed, no humming. I will see tonight if I did it correctly when I fill the tank up and see any discrepencies.

I have come to the conclusion that the coolant is leaking from the water pump. I can see it and hence the coolant leaking from the back of the bottmom engine covers. Can a pump be tested? Can it just be an old/bad gasket? I don't see how a faulty water pump can cause leakage unless itself was cracked, it seems to be leaking right at one of the bottom bolts.

Just noticed in the FSM the water pump has a liquid gasket, is it unusual for these to fail?
Modified by CherryPoppinQ45 at 5:31 PM 12/24/2004

[Jesda]

Did you have any issues with the o-ring? Mine was too big to fit around the groove and get the pump installed correctly, so I ended up cutting a 1/4" piece of it.

[Q-less]

No, but the filter flange gave me trouble....I moved it so it would be easier to put back in and not bend the float mechanism, shouldn't have done that. I lloked down in the tank and there is a 'basket' that the filter flange sets in so I had to pull it back out and match it up with the old one. I put the o-ring anroud the pump first and used a tie to hold it into place through one of the bolt holes.

Did yours seat flush when you put it back in?

[911/Q45]

Your water pump probably is leaking at the shaft seal and you can see it at the bottom bolt as it drips down. Very common failure, the RTV would leak immediately upon installation or never.

[Q-less]

Its not a new water pump and I just noticed coolant leakage yesterday. Are you saying I might catch a break on this one and the seal just went bad with age and it being cold and all?

[squeefoo]

Just noticed in the FSM the water pump has a liquid gasket, is it unusual for these to fail?

Modified by CherryPoppinQ45 at 5:31 PM 12/24/2004

If the new water pump comes with a paper gasket use that and sealant.Is the bolt(s) loose? If not, then I bet your money the weep hole is making it look like the bolt probably leaks. Once they wear to a certain point the seals leak out the weep hole.

If you take the fuel pump O-Ring and warm it up, and dry it out, it'll fit (a used one).One way is to boil it in a pot on the stove for about 15 mins. That makes the absorbed gas and the swelling go away. Figured this out years ago when nothing was open and it had to get done. Cutting just begs for a leak and all that work all over again. I hate that.

PS: The stupid wire hose clamps the factory uses (since they're cheap) are POS's and rot off, pinch the hose, and worth replacing as soon as you can.

[Q-less]

I don't want to get a new water pump if I don't have to. I am asking if it were as simple as taking the existing water pump off and discovering the old gasket seal to be bad. What is the life span of the water pump?

Quote: "Once they wear to a certain point the seals leak out the weep hole" Once what wears? The weep holes or the gasket? If the weep holes are worn does that mean a new water pump.

I can see how the coolant level got low and gave me the funny temp reading and not the thermoswitch/thermostat. I found the leak and its definetely coming from the water pump area.

[Jesda]

I put the o-ring anroud the pump first and used a tie to hold it into place through one of the bolt holes.

Thats a good idea. I couldnt get the darn thing around the groove in any way that actually fit. It was simply too big. I dont know if it expanded over the past year or what. I need to go in there again and seal the little cut in the o-ring with a dab of RTV.

[911/Q45]

I don't want to get a new water pump if I don't have to. I am asking if it were as simple as taking the existing water pump off and discovering the old gasket seal to be bad. What is the life span of the water pump?

Quote: "Once they wear to a certain point the seals leak out the weep hole" Once what wears? The weep holes or the gasket? If the weep holes are worn does that mean a new water pump.

I can see how the coolant level got low and gave me the funny temp reading and not the thermoswitch/thermostat. I found the leak and its definetely coming from the water pump area.

The SHAFT seal is leaking. It can only be fixed by replacing the water pump.

[DAEDALUS]

The pumps are not meant to be serviceable. They'll sell you a new pump, but I'm pretty sure the shaft seal isn't in their inventory list. (The seal is probably what's leaking, dripping out the weep hole). Actually a fairly cheap repair all in all IMO to just replace the pump.

[Q-less]

OK, I apparently I put the pump back in correcty and did not bend the float; the fuel gauge is working fine like before.

But, when I went to Kmart (WalMart was closed?) to get some antifreeze the damn car stalled and again with the 'low charge warning'. I dismissed the idea that coolant was leaking onto the alternator belt and causing slippage and the belts are tight. There was a slight whine and I can't be certain it was from the alternator.

Now, the temp gauge went up to normal operating temp position, but after the car goes past about 50 mph the temp goes back down as if it is cold. Is it the engine coolant temperature sensor (2?), the thermoswitch on the radiator, or the thermostat that will cause this symptom?

I"M GETTING REALLY F'ING FRUSTRATED!!

I don't even know fure sure now that IT WAS my fuel pump, it coudn't have been, ITS STILL DOING IT!

[DAEDALUS]

Wondering if there's a bad connection somewhere. Rig up a cigarette plug to your multimeter and keep tabs on your battery voltage while driving. Try to determine if the low voltage is a problem or a symptom. If it's the problem then suspect a loose connection somewhere, possibly a bad alt. Coolant leaking on the alt isn't good for it.

[redmanfx]

I don't want to get a new water pump if I don't have to. I am asking if it were as simple as taking the existing water pump off and discovering the old gasket seal to be bad. What is the life span of the water pump?

bigred211 is selling a wter pump on the parts thread for something like $10.00 or $15.00. Off a 90-93Q. I think I just bought his Knock sensors for $21.00.

Also, I found the hose under my Charcoal canister(above the oil filter) was melted from the canister sitting on it and I had to have it replaced. It had sprung a leak....

red

[Q-less]

I have been in the archives and found a thread where valve cover gaskets leak on the alternator and destroy them. I know its not fuel now and I like your idea, but if its a 12 volt cig lighter won't you just get 12v and under? Or was that your point?

Will you check this alternator out and tell me if you would get it. He has a 1yr warranty. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...%3AIT

I know I would take my chances but I would have a year.

[Q-less]

Do you know if the 90-93 water pump will fit my 94

[Q-less]

Just checked Scottsdale:WATER PUMP, Q45, To 12/94 - Q45 1994 $125.00 $93.75

My Q's birthday is 6/93, so should it fit?

[elwesso]

Yes... That will fit..

id be a little iffy on the alternator... EVEN if it fails and you get replacement, you still have to dig it out of there which is no fun...

[redmanfx]

If your Q has a Grille than the 94 pump from Scottsdale will fit. I'm not so sure about the 90-93 pump. Better have a pro answer that one.

red

[Q-less]

I am getting real sick, real fast with my Q. I bought the alternator, did some research and its the same for 90-96. I just put a new fuel pump on and don't know if I needed it. I apparently need a new water pump and still no solution to the funny temp readings. All on top of me doing the valve covers and spark plugs at the end of the month. I don't think the water pump of a 93 will work unless its after 1/93 in which case its probrably a 94. The water pumps age as 9/1989-1/1993 and 2/1993-6/1996 so no $15 water pump for me YEA!

I don't care if the alternator fails in a year, hopefully it won't be in my hands when it does.$99 is a lot cheaper to deduce my problems and hopefully fix until I find the 91 prelude that I've been wanting (4-wheel Steering)

So in the meantime I'll call Joe and order the water pump, thermostat, and belts.THEN I WOULD HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING AND THE F"ING PROBLEM SHOULD BE FIXED!!

[Q-less]

Is the voltage regulator the same as the internal regulator part in the alternator. If not my luck says I'll need a VR too

[DAEDALUS]

I have been in the archives and found a thread where valve cover gaskets leak on the alternator and destroy them. I know its not fuel now and I like your idea, but if its a 12 volt cig lighter won't you just get 12v and under? Or was that your point?

Will you check this alternator out and tell me if you would get it. He has a 1yr warranty. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...%3AIT

I know I would take my chances but I would have a year.

I have seen a poor connection cause voltage spikes and dropouts. The car runs like ****.

Looks like a pretty good buy. If that's the pic of the actual part looks like a quality reman, and they do say it's factory. I would have someone watch the voltage as you drive around. See if it fluctuates. It should be above 13v at all times.

Try to determine if the low voltage is causing the running problem, or if the running problem is causing low voltage.

I have seen a poor connection cause voltage spikes and dropouts. The car ran like **** (same symptoms) till the connection was fixed.

[redmanfx]

So in the meantime I'll call Joe and order the water pump, thermostat, and belts.THEN I WOULD HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING AND THE F"ING PROBLEM SHOULD BE FIXED!!

Hey, I know what you mean!! It seems like everything goes at once or one little thing causes problems and you can't find out what "it" actaully is. LOL man!! Stick with it and your Q will love you back eventually. One thing about the Q is that it likes to snug with your wallet.

I'm going through the same thing and can only offer encouragement because I love mine too much to ***** about it. I'll have this car for a long, long time....

red