water pump dead? coolant overflow

[nyckanny]

Hi, So I have been leaking coolant for the last few months now. It seems like the weep hole at the bottom side of the water pump is leaking, i'm not sure. Anyway. Today I went to get some food, and on the way back the idle rose up to about 1000 the whole drive back. In the garage, I parked and noticed that the coolant overflow tank was way filled, beyond even the max line. the fan was on full blast also, hence the high idle.

so what is wrong?

im stressed out with other things too sigh

[TheOne]

if its leaking from the bottom hole of the water pump, then that pump is dead.

also when it was idlin @ 1000rpms and the overflow tank was full, that was overheating, you better hope that head gasket is ok.

[nyckanny]

well, i waited 10 mins for things to cool down, all the fluid levels went back. Then i drove it hard for another 15 mins, and everything is ok now...so i dunno what to make of it.

And why do u say its the headgasket?

=\
Modified by nyckanny at 11:21 PM 3/13/2006

[onosqv]

When a car overheats, you're not suppose to drive it hard until you fix the problem (waiting 10 minutes usually isn't the fix)...

He suggested you check your headgasket because if you are driving the **** out of your car while it overheats, the head could have gotten warped since coolant flow may possibly not be circulating.

It could be something as you had air in your coolant system, or your radiator cap is jacked & needs replacing... or your water pump could be dead -> no coolant flow -> engine overheat and headgasket blew and now coolant is mixing w/ oil...

a water pump is $35, a radiator cap is $5, bleeding your own coolant system is free + cost of coolant.

Replacing your headgasket will cost you much more & a lot more of your time.

Your choice really...

[nyckanny]

that for the feedback, im going to take a look at it today

[sileighty85]

if it's the water pump then replace it. it's not that hard to replace a water pump because i just got my water pump replace three weeks ago.

[nyckanny]

well i dont even know anymore, i only see puddles, i can never tell where the coolant is coming from. once time i noticed that the water pump belt was a little moist.....so i thought the weep hole was spilling. but theres also two weep holes, a top and bottom one. The top one u can just see whille standing over your enginebat, where the bottom one u have to feel for it. And I have never found the bottom weep hole to be wet.

Though its coming from somewhere in the front of the engine, as thats where the puddles start.

for now i will just go back to filling the reservoir with coolant/water. i didnt fill it for awhile, and the overflow tank went below the minimum even when the engine was hot.

I will look into it more during spring break.