Water Pump Question

[sjbsuperman1425]

Well I was drifting last night in a local deserted parking lot (I know I know..) and afterwards noticed coolant on the pan and ground where I had parked my car. After inspection I found no leaks and it drove me to pick up my fiancée and home just fine. Upon further inspection of both my CA and friends RB, we noticed what looked like pressure relief vavles on the water pumps.

I've never seen any such thing before so I'm just looking for confirmation that this is what it is. Looks like I may have learned something new last night?

[boost_boy]

Don't think it's pressure relief valve, but a hole that tells you when water pump is at its service limit. The seal goes bad, you see fluid coming out and have fun changing water pumo .

[sjbsuperman1425]

It doesn't leak anymore but only when under pressure. That's why I'm asking.

[float_6969]

That's the way pump seals start out failing. Trust me. I replace those exact kind of seals on a daily basis. Those exact same seals are used in almost all pool and spa pumps.

Replace your pump ASAP or you'll be overheated and stranded on the side of the road.

[sjbsuperman1425]

well cheese and rice..alright will do. Thanks guys.

[Frankenfourty]

Yea its the weep hole. If its leaking a little bit, it will soon start dumping coolant quite rapidly. Try and get a new water pump with a lifetime warranty, that way if it ever goes bad you get a free part. Plus some of the replacement parts I have gotten from parts stores have been of the worst quality I have seen even since the last 4-5 years. One of my brand new water pumps went bad the first day I installed it. Anyways, my point to be made is get a new water pump with a warranty.

[sjbsuperman1425]

its the 1986 Nissan 200sx CA18ET water pump correct? and that will fit with the stock pulley and what not?

[float_6969]

That's the one.

[sjbsuperman1425]

last thing. Since I just replaced the timing belt, do I need to buy another new one when changing the pump? I heard somewhere you are only supposed to "tighten" a timing belt once and if its loosened again, you need another one. Sounds odd to me, but want to make sure. Thanks again

[Frankenfourty]

I have replaced water pumps and kept the old (relatively new) timing belt. If you have a new timing belt I think you will be ok. Double check that though.

[float_6969]

re-using the belt is fine as long as it's in good condition.

[sjbsuperman1425]

cool thanks guys. I just replaced the belt over the winter when I did a plethora or things to the car. I'll do all of this when my oil change is due (which is soon). I'll also do the tensioner and idler pulley's as well as I think they are making some noise under the hood.

[[Sil80]Alex]

I'm pretty sure the 86 pulsar water pump doesn't work.. I ordered one and had to return it and buy one specifically for a 180sx. Maybe I'm wrong but that's what I had to do.. ^^

[Frankenfourty]

He said 86 200sx, not pulsar. Two different cars. The 200sx one works.

[sjbsuperman1425]

yea i got the 200sx pump. Cool thing since i bought the pump and the tensioner/idler, i got a $10 gift card! The pump hasn't been leaking at all lately (recently ruptured a hose tho) so idk what the deal is. I probably wont replace this stuff until the fall/winter when the car has its down time.

[[Sil80]Alex]

He said 86 200sx, not pulsar. Two different cars. The 200sx one works.

Oh whoops, I completely missed that. Yeah apparently its just the diff between fwd and rwd ca's

[ska69]

I've got a small question as well - I ordered a new '85 200sx ca18et water pump, but the pulley mounting end is round, not square...is that ok or not?

[float_6969]

That's interesting. Never seen that. As long as the pulley bolts to it, it should be OK.

[ska69]

here's a picture of it



I can't check right now as I don't have any pulleys with me I guess if no one knows, I'll have to hope that it'll fit

[Frankenfourty]

^^^ Yea as long as your pulley bolts up it will be fine. Square vs round isnt an issue. Just double check your part number to make sure its the right pump. This particular manufacturer probably just makes them that way.

[ska69]

just in case if anyone's interested - got my ca18 a new water pump, this time a GMB brand for '84 (and so on) 200sx with 1.8 and 2.0 engines.

here's a pic.



btw, looks much better compared to the previous no-name Airtex boxed italy(?)-made pump.

[DALAZ_68]

i just get them from autozone AWP-692 usually always in stock... lol

[sjbsuperman1425]

I completely forgot I had this problem, so thanks for bringing it back up haha. I'm probably going to get every last mile out of the pump as I can since I just dropped over $1,000 on the car over the winter..if it needs replacing, I get this stuff dirt cheap from my store and its an easy replacement to do so I wont be bitching.

a side note, i did run it all the way to October with the same water pump without any problems..