leaking coolant HELP!!!!

[408cb7]

hey guys,
my car is leaking coolant from the side of the engine, where the belts are at.
this only happens when i start the car cold, but it only leaks a little bit, once the car warms up the leak stops. my car doesn't overheat at all the neddle remains below half. i believe its the water pump but im not sure.
can any one help me out.

Thanks.

[Eddy]

either way check the water pump, check all the hoses for cracks as well...

[EJX_Michael]

I say water pump, but you might want to get under it and look at the seals on the pipe thats on the back of the block.

Is it just a small ammount that leaks out? cause I think I read something a while ago in a TSB about there being some kind of relief hole in the water pump and it was OK if a small ammount of coolant leaked out.

[bcjammerx]

I third the water pump notion...

there is a "weep hole" on the water pump...that should not weep the hell outta me why it's there but mine started leaking there once the pump got over 190k on it, I didn't replace it the first t-belt change.

Has it ever been changed? When did you do a t-belt last?

[408cb7]

I third the water pump notion...

there is a "weep hole" on the water pump...that should not weep the hell outta me why it's there but mine started leaking there once the pump got over 190k on it, I didn't replace it the first t-belt change.

Has it ever been changed? When did you do a t-belt last?

i have changed it since i owned the car(2 years) so maybe its time. same with the timing belt.

[bcjammerx]

every 70-90k don't forget ALL the seals too

[TheChosenOne]

Damn... I think this means more money is getting sucked out of my pockets. tis tis tis.

So, why exactly does the little relief hole start spewing coolant out? Does this signify that the coolant isnt being moved at all by the pump, thus needing a purge valve?

[wed3k]

it's just a weep hole. coolant isnt supposed to be pouring out of it, lol. and if it is, the seal is bad where the bearing sits.

[TheChosenOne]

it's just a weep hole. coolant isnt supposed to be pouring out of it, lol. and if it is, the seal is bad where the bearing sits.

So, does this mean that if coolant is just coming out of the weep hole, that the water pump could still be good? Honestly, I'm just about to start my summer semester, and if I could ride this pump for a little longer that would be great, but if it's done, then I'll just have to replace everything.

[cb7_ex_coupe]

k i just thought i would post a question instead of starting my own thread...im looking at a 1990 accord ex with the f22a4 and the owner says it needs the water pump...he blows through the radiator and it leaks by the water pump towards the firewall of the car...i started it right up so i know the motor aint blown... so it can also be a seal not the pump??

[turbo90accord]

its either the water pump or the o-ring that seals the rear coolant pipe to the block.

[batever]

I believe the weep hole is there to indicate bearing or seal wear before it really goes and the whole pump seizes. If you're getting fluid out of the weep hole then replace the water pump soon. (My haynes says when you get fluid out of there it's time for a new pump but doesn't give an explanation).

As to how long you can wait before replacing it, I have no idea.

[batever]

k i just thought i would post a question instead of starting my own thread...im looking at a 1990 accord ex with the f22a4 and the owner says it needs the water pump...he blows through the radiator and it leaks by the water pump towards the firewall of the car...i started it right up so i know the motor aint blown... so it can also be a seal not the pump??

The seal he is referring to comes out of the back of the water pipe and runs transverse behind the block. coolant would run down the back of the block by the timing cover if that is the source of the leak. But if someone who is selling the car says it needs a water pump then I'd go with that assessment because why would they say that otherwise? Unless they were just wrong.

[wed3k]

So, does this mean that if coolant is just coming out of the weep hole, that the water pump could still be good? Honestly, I'm just about to start my summer semester, and if I could ride this pump for a little longer that would be great, but if it's done, then I'll just have to replace everything.

yea, but now the system wont hold pressure.

[bcjammerx]

this is called routine maintenance...so it isn't money pouring out of your pocket...it is scheduled and routine and will be needed on all cars