I think it's the waterpump going out...

[do0dfromcali]

I've been noticing the past few days that when I park my car, it starts dripping coolant on the driver's side rear of the engine compartment. I want to say its right where the waterpump is located at. If I drive the car and the coolant gets low, the temp guage flucuates a bunch eventually getting into the H of the temp guage. If I fill the coolant system back up and let the car idle, there is no dripping whatsoever and the temp remains at normal. Only when the engine is shut off does it start dripping from that spot.

Today when I went out to the car, there was a small pool of coolant under the car from the spot where it has been dripping. I did a short drive into town and the motor got almost all the way into the H on the temp guage. I limped the car home and took off the radiator cap. I filled the coolant system back up and started the car. It sat at normal on the temp guage for a good five minutes at idle. I made sure to move the car to see if it was dripping coolant and it was not. I then did a thirty minute drive and the temp guage remained at normal, even with the a/c on. Then as soon as I parked the car, it started to drip.

From what I was reading when I did a search on this problem, I imagine that the waterpump is "weeping" indicating it is time for it to be replaced. Correct? I also found in a thread I searched that the lower radiator hose should be slightly cooler then the upper radiator hose. After I had limped the car home from the short trip into town, the lower radiator hose was significantly cooler then the upper.

From what I have researched, I am leaning towards the waterpump being on it's last leg. I am just looking for some confirmation from some of the more expirenced techs around here.

I've been out of town the past four days and tommorow I have to drive four hours back home. I am going to go for it based on how the car did on the 30 minute drive today. I didn't notice any leaking while it was running. Tommorow morning I will do a final check for leakage while running and then make the trip back home. While enroute I'll be making plans to get it into the shop to be fixed.

Sorry for the novel but I just wanted to be detailed as possible for diagnosis reasons.

Thanks,
Mike

[do0dfromcali]

Here is a picture of where I noticed coolant. I couldn't find an exact spot that it was dripping since I couldn't really get under the car. (Wish I had access to a lift) When I get back home tommorow I will try and get a jack under the car and see if I can't find the exact spot its leaking.

The areas circled in red is where I saw coolant.

http://i4.tinypic.com/10g06tu.jpg



edit: btw...that isn't my picture. I found it on the internet.

[NAiL05]

First of all what is your mileage. If your sure its your waterpump its time to do a timing job might as well since its right there. But i would really get a jack as you mentioned crawl under and look at it. Clean off the area, Start the car, turn it off, then go back underneath and see if you can trace the leak. Could be a hose if its leaking pretty quick by the sound of it. If it looks like the water is coming out of your timing cover could be your waterpump.

[wed3k]

there's a coolant hose right above that area.

[do0dfromcali]

there's a coolant hose right above that area.

The car has 140k on the odometer. I went through the old records of the owner before me and I believe it was at 95k he did the whole timing belt ordeal.


Thanks for the tip on the coolant hose in that area. I will check it out and see if I can find something with that. That seems more logical sinced it's only leaking when the car is off. I am going to go let the car run here in a little bit with the coolant system topped off and see how well it does at idle for about 15 minutes.

[maroonaccord2.2]

I'm guessing it would be the pump though, the housing is directly about the oil pump drive in your pic there. Look for traces of a leak around the seal and also where the shaft for the water pump comes ouf of the housing.....

[do0dfromcali]

Well the honda did me well and made it back home. I stopped twice and topped off the coolant level just to be on the safe side.

As I got into town, I swung by the mechanic who will be looking at it tommorow. It was dripping pretty heavily. First thing he said was "yup...its the waterpump." I would love to tackle this project myself, but I just do not have the time nor resources to get it done. If I had another vehicle and could afford to have the honda down, then I would go at it. I don't mind shelling out the money though since I know it will get done right.


Thanks for the advice guys. I'll post up tommorow what the exact problem is so when this thread is searched, people will have an answer.

[owequitit]

Unless you mess with them, the hoses usually last a long long time.

If you qualify for severe driving (look it up in your owner's manual, or ask your dealer) the interval drops to 60K. Sometimes, non OEM parts don't make it that far, which is the main reason I only use OEM stuff.

As far as tackling it goes, with 40K on the installed belts, you would be smart to just get the whole timing belt package. You will be really pissed off if you pay all the money to have it changed (the T-belt has to come off anyway), don't spend the extra $50 on new belts, and everything breaks a short time later.

Also, if you are going to drive it, beware that pump failure is probably imminent and it will very likely take the T-belt with it.

[do0dfromcali]

Unless you mess with them, the hoses usually last a long long time.

If you qualify for severe driving (look it up in your owner's manual, or ask your dealer) the interval drops to 60K. Sometimes, non OEM parts don't make it that far, which is the main reason I only use OEM stuff.

As far as tackling it goes, with 40K on the installed belts, you would be smart to just get the whole timing belt package. You will be really pissed off if you pay all the money to have it changed (the T-belt has to come off anyway), don't spend the extra $50 on new belts, and everything breaks a short time later.

Also, if you are going to drive it, beware that pump failure is probably imminent and it will very likely take the T-belt with it.

I told the guy I wanted to do the timing belt but he said just wait to make that decision until he takes off the cover and can inspect the belt. I trust him and he is very reputable. Just as long as the car is done by saturday, I'll be fine. I have to be back up in Chicago to fly out of O-hare.


I will also have him toss on a new alternator and AC belt while he is at it.

[owequitit]

I told the guy I wanted to do the timing belt but he said just wait to make that decision until he takes off the cover and can inspect the belt. I trust him and he is very reputable. Just as long as the car is done by saturday, I'll be fine. I have to be back up in Chicago to fly out of O-hare.


I will also have him toss on a new alternator and AC belt while he is at it.

OK, but I can tell you that in many cases the timing belt looks just fine, but it isn't.

Put it this way, if it was a Honda dealer, they probably wouldn't consider putting the old one back on. Cheap insurance if you will.

[do0dfromcali]

OK, but I can tell you that in many cases the timing belt looks just fine, but it isn't.

Put it this way, if it was a Honda dealer, they probably wouldn't consider putting the old one back on. Cheap insurance if you will.

I told him I wanted the timing belt replaced for sure and he agreed. I just got a call from him. He is going to replace the timing belt, counter-balance belt (?), waterpump, AC and alternator belt for 385. Sounds decent to me.


I appreciate your concern and your right. It's cheap insurance for sure.

[owequitit]

I told him I wanted the timing belt replaced for sure and he agreed. I just got a call from him. He is going to replace the timing belt, counter-balance belt (?), waterpump, AC and alternator belt for 385. Sounds decent to me.


I appreciate your concern and your right. It's cheap insurance for sure.

The balancer belt is under the lower timing cover with the timing belt and waterpump. There are to balance shafts in your block just above and too the sides of the crankshaft. They help cancel vibration. That is the belt that turns them.

No problem on the heads up. I just wanted you to avoid the mistake that a lot of people make. Trying to save a cheap buck.

I have seen too many Honda's over the years that have been destroyed because of the timing belt. One of the top killers for sure.