70 "608" water pump leaking

[Bill L.]

70-L46 4 spd.

I purchased a correct dated 608 water pump and it sat for about a year before I installed it.

I am probably 1 or 2 weekends from firing her up and put anti freeze in for the first time. It appears that I have a leak coming from the weep hole.

The pump was rebuilt by a reputable builder. Based on the archives this appears to be a common problem. I am really disappointed that I have to drain the anti-freeze out and remove the water pump.

Would the fact that it sat so long contribute to the problem or is it just a bad rebuild?


Thanks, Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 "608" water pump leaking

70-L46 4 spd.

I purchased a correct dated 608 water pump and it sat for about a year before I installed it.

I am probably 1 or 2 weekends from firing her up and put anti freeze in for the first time. It appears that I have a leak coming from the weep hole.

The pump was rebuilt by a reputable builder. Based on the archives this appears to be a common problem. I am really disappointed that I have to drain the anti-freeze out and remove the water pump.

Would the fact that it sat so long contribute to the problem or is it just a bad rebuild?


Thanks, Bill

Bill------


There might not really be a problem. Sometimes, these seals will weep a little until the carbon-carbon or carbon-ceramic seals wear in. In fact, they'll even weep a little even after the seals wear in. That's why the weep holes are provided.

The type of seal used in a waterpump is not 100% leakproof. If you have a large leak, then there is something wrong with the seal. However, if it's just a very slight weep, I think there's a good chance it will diminish as the seal wears in.

The fact that the pump went un-used for a year should not affect it.

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 "608" water pump leaking

Bill------


There might not really be a problem. Sometimes, these seals will weep a little until the carbon-carbon or carbon-ceramic seals wear in. In fact, they'll even weep a little even after the seals wear in. That's why the weep holes are provided.

The type of seal used in a waterpump is not 100% leakproof. If you have a large leak, then there is something wrong with the seal. However, if it's just a very slight weep, I think there's a good chance it will diminish as the seal wears in.

The fact that the pump went un-used for a year should not affect it.

The leak is enough that I had a couple drips on the harmonic balancer overnight. Is that considered somewhat normal.

Thanks Joe.



Bill

[Terry M.]

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 "608" water pump leaking

The leak is enough that I had a couple drips on the harmonic balancer overnight. Is that considered somewhat normal.

Thanks Joe.



Bill

Bill------


If this pump has not been run, at all, I'd say what you're seeing is ok. Even after the pump is run, you might see a little weepage for awhile.

When one understands the way a waterpump seal functions, it's amazing that one could EVER get to a ZERO weep situation. Actually, I don't think that any waterpumps really get to this. The thing is that the weepage is so slight that no one ever really notices. In a situation like you have right now, it's much more noticeable than it would be if you replaced the pump and, then, started using the car (which is how about 99.9% of waterpump replacements occur).

[Jack H.]

Re: 70 "608" water pump leaking

Out of curiousity, did you apply thread sealant to the water pump's attaching bolts when you installed it? It might be the leak you see is coming from the attaching bolts and following the contour of the pump's housing to make it 'appear' that it's leaking from the seal/bearing area...

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 "608" water pump leaking

Good thought Jack.

I will go back and do that as a precaution one at a time. I did the one and got distracted so I forgot the others. I have been carefully watching for a few days now and it is definitely coming from the weep hole. I can wipe the pump down, go back in an hour or so a feel the anti freeze in the weep hole.

I thought the same thing and even went back and tightened the heater hose nipple a little bit and made sure all bolts were torqued to spec..

I am really hoping that running it will help seat the bearing and reduce the weeping or eliminate it completely.

Just curious why a weep hole when it is not a sealed system?

Thank you! Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 "608" water pump leaking

Good thought Jack.

I will go back and do that as a precaution one at a time. I did the one and got distracted so I forgot the others. I have been carefully watching for a few days now and it is definitely coming from the weep hole. I can wipe the pump down, go back in an hour or so a feel the anti freeze in the weep hole.

I thought the same thing and even went back and tightened the heater hose nipple a little bit and made sure all bolts were torqued to spec..

I am really hoping that running it will help seat the bearing and reduce the weeping or eliminate it completely.

Just curious why a weep hole when it is not a sealed system?

Thank you! Bill

Bill------


The weep hole is provided because the type of seal used in a waterpump is usually not 100% leak proof. In fact, many other types of centrifugal pumps used for non-automotive applications use the same type of seal and they all have weep holes, too. And, they all weep.

[Jerry B.]

Re: 70 "608" water pump leaking

Here My Two Cents Worth..an Old Timer Advised Me To Use Plain Water On A Fresh Rebuild,water Is Alot Easier To Clean Up Than Antifreeze.

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 "608" water pump leaking

Here My Two Cents Worth..an Old Timer Advised Me To Use Plain Water On A Fresh Rebuild,water Is Alot Easier To Clean Up Than Antifreeze.

Jerry------


That's not a bad idea. After the initial run-in and making sure there are no leaks anywhere, simply drain the radiator, add 1/2 the capacity of the system with full-strength coolant, and top off with water, as necessary.