Water pump dripping when cold....
 

Hey guys, now that I got the codes issue resolved, my SVX says "Im not done with you yet". I start it today to warm it up a little, and notice coolant dripping out of the bottom of the car on the forward drivers side. I jacked it up and looked under and sure enough.... the water pump gasket. Sweet :eek:!! So I looked in the how-to, theres nothing on the water pump. So it looks to me that I have to remove the timing belt to remove the pump...correct? Does anyone have a walkthrough link or other info on doing the water pump?? I have done subie timing belts before, just on the H4 though not the H6. Im planning on doing just the gasket for now since money is tight. Its my daily driver and only car.... so im desperate to get this done before it turns into a worse problem (headgasket :barf:). Thanks in advance.

Re: Water pump dripping when cold....
 

Are you sure its just the gasket? Normally when they leak like that from the waterpump its coming from the weep hole indicating that the pump is on its way out. Would hate to see you go through the same effort of changing the pump just to see it still be leaking.

Re: Water pump dripping when cold....
 

I dont recall seeing the weep hole..... is it on the bottom of the water pump? The only place I see it leaking from is right where the pump connects to the engine. It only does this when its cold..... as soon as it warms up the leak stops. I think maybe for now I could try some Aluma-seal? Im also going to try tightening the bolts if possible maybe that will slow it a little or stop it.

Re: Water pump dripping when cold....
 

Been a while but i believe the weep hole is on the bottom towards the center. You could try to tighten the bolts just dont snap them. Hmm as far as stopping when warm not sure. I would be hesitant to put any of those stop leaks in. If its leaking there is a problem, dont put a bandaid on it just my opinion.

Re: Water pump dripping when cold....
 

Ok didnt put the junk in my radiator, but noticed another thing...... I started the car with the radiator cap off, and the coolant proceeded to flow out of the top steadily for the first couple minutes I had the engine running. The coolant got really frothy after about 45 seconds, almost a foam consistency, before it was even warm. Is this a blown head gasket?? Most of my other vehicles in the past you could have the cap off when it was cool and the coolant would just flow under the cap hole, it wouldnt come out. My oil looks ok, no white or mayo looking stuff in it, but the coolant looks a little dirty. Does everyone elses do this, or am I blessed with a thousand plus dollar repair? :eek:

Re: Water pump dripping when cold....
 

Have you recently changed the coolant? You've definitely got air in the system...
-Bill

Re: Water pump dripping when cold....
 

No, but I popped the cap off to check the level a few days ago.... the reserve was almost empty but not quite. You are right though.... the water pump leak is probably causing air to mix in. I sure hope thats the case! Id much rather seal a water pump than yank an engine for head gaskets. I just am worried about the flow of coolant out of the radiator immediately after starting when cold.