Water pump nonsense

[dmcindiana]

Dear folks, I just had a new water pump from DMC put on by a local shop. Along with some valley TLC.

Drove home, checked the weep hole obsessively for 2 days parked, dry. Went for another spin, checked the weep hole obsessively for 2 more days parked, dry. Checked 3rd and 4th days parked, see photos.

71661716627166371664

Ignore the brown dry area, that's from the previous water pump.

So far, enough coolant to collect on that first top surface but not enough to spill below that.

I've read up on what is a normal amount of weepage for a new pump with a new seal that is absorbing coolant and letting a little sneak past.

https://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?18843-Water-we-gonna-do-now/page3
https://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?15827-Coolant-Under-Waterpump
https://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?14176-Replacement-Water-Pump-Longevity

Is this more than letting a little sneak past? Is this a clear sign of a bad seal, replace immediately?

Or normal, they all do this, chill out?

Thanks, everyone.

[82DMC12]

Dear folks, I just had a new water pump from DMC put on by a local shop. Along with some valley TLC.

Drove home, checked the weep hole obsessively for 2 days parked, dry. Went for another spin, checked the weep hole obsessively for 2 more days parked, dry. Checked 3rd and 4th days parked, see photos.

71661716627166371664

Ignore the brown dry area, that's from the previous water pump.

So far, enough coolant to collect on that first top surface but not enough to spill below that.

I've read up on what is a normal amount of weepage for a new pump with a new seal that is absorbing coolant and letting a little sneak past.

https://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?18843-Water-we-gonna-do-now/page3
https://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?15827-Coolant-Under-Waterpump
https://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?14176-Replacement-Water-Pump-Longevity

Is this more than letting a little sneak past? Is this a clear sign of a bad seal, replace immediately?

Or normal, they all do this, chill out?

Thanks, everyone.

I'm not seeing much of anything at all, how about cleaning it really well with degreaser and drying it and then daily the car for a week and check again?

[dmcindiana]

Yah, I agree it?s not much, but is it enough to be more than normal? I?ll clean it up and keep driving and keep an eye on it.

Danny

[David T]

As you have been told, it is not abnormal for a SMALL amount of seepage for a new seal. You should not see a wet spot, just a damp spot and it should go away after a few heat cycles. Also keep checking your coolant level and add a bit if necessary as any air in the system gets purged out. In the past it was typical for new seals not to leak a drop but as with so many "new" parts today, the quality is not what it used to be so we have to put up with new parts that don't work so good. It has gotten to the point that maybe the old parts, as worn out as they may be, are best left in the car, they might be better than what is passed off as new or rebuilt these days.

[dmcindiana]

Appreciate this, David. It's not small. It's not a lot. It's somewhere in between and hopefully no more than what should be expected for crummy new parts. As you said, if it doesn't go away after a few cycles, I'll take that as a clearer sign that it's time for another one.

[82DMC12]

Appreciate this, David. It's not small. It's not a lot. It's somewhere in between and hopefully no more than what should be expected for crummy new parts. As you said, if it doesn't go away after a few cycles, I'll take that as a clearer sign that it's time for another one.

If you keep having issues, might want to try a German Meyles pump or an Italian made pump. I think Chris Miles has some Italian pumps in stock.

[dmcindiana]

If you keep having issues, might want to try a German Meyles pump or an Italian made pump. I think Chris Miles has some Italian pumps in stock.

In all fairness to DMCH, they're been pretty communicative and supportive, but I still am not excited about accepting a replacement from them just to have the exact same issues. Hopeful that it'll sort itself out after a little more run time but I'll have Chris on deck for a proper upgrade if needed. Thanks, Andy.

[dmcman73]

Are you certain it is from the weep hole and not the hoses on the back of the pump? It's not uncommon for some coolant seepage from the hoses and having to re-tighten the hose clamps after a few heat cycles, especially if they are the Silicone hoses.

[David T]

Are you certain it is from the weep hole and not the hoses on the back of the pump? It's not uncommon for some coolant seepage from the hoses and having to re-tighten the hose clamps after a few heat cycles, especially if they are the Silicone hoses.

Actually with silicone hoses you should not have to re-tighten the clamps. Very handy especially for the hoses underneath where you can't get to them to re-tighten. Of course you should be using hose clamps meant for silicone hoses but the OEM ones seem to be OK. Good point about making sure it is actually the weep hole and not anything else leaking. That weep hole is meant to allow leakage without letting it go through the bearings and be a good visual indicator.

[dmcindiana]

Are you certain it is from the weep hole and not the hoses on the back of the pump? It's not uncommon for some coolant seepage from the hoses and having to re-tighten the hose clamps after a few heat cycles, especially if they are the Silicone hoses.

Appreciate this but, yes, quite certain. See photos above. The previous pump had more than this coming from the hole and now I'm monitoring the new one to be sure it's just seal break-in weep and not seal failure weep.