Fixing a water pump leak may sound simple when you first see drips of coolant under your car but depending on the water pump location it could be a relatively difficult job. If your vehicle has a timing belt, there is a good chance the water pump is actually driven by that timing belt so changing the water pump includes removing timing components which is always a tricky job with disastrous consequences if you don’t get things back together correctly.
If you’ve got a truck or rear wheel drive vehicle then there is a good chance your water pump is connected to a mechanical cooling fan. If this is the case you will need a special tool to hold the fan and water pump pulley stationary while you loosen the nuts holding the fan onto the pulley.
Water pumps can leak from 2 different places; the shaft seal or the water pump gasket. If the water pump bearings are starting to wear out they will allow the shaft to wobble and coolant will leak out. If the gasket fails either from age or damage from dirty coolant you will see a leak where the water pump bolts to the block or timing cover. In either case, it’s smart to replace the water pump because you are already going through all the work of removing it either way.
Water Pump Leak Repair: Water Pump Removal
- Flush cooling system if necessary
- Drain coolant
- Remove engine belts
- Remove other components to gain access to water pump bolts
- Remove the water pump
- Replace gasket or o-ring and install new pump
The first step to doing any work on your cooling system is to determine if your system needs to be flushed. If your coolant is dirty or you suspect scaling in your system it is a good idea to flush your system before replacing any components to make sure old coolant or contamination doesn’t damage your new components.
With a clean and empty cooling system, you can go about removing your water pump. Purchasing a vehicle repair manual will help you find the correct procedure for removing your water pump and it will also provide the correct torque values for installing your new pump.
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29 responses to "How to Fix a Water Pump Leak"
29 Comments
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Does it really work?
Jimmy-
Unfortunately, we don’t manufacture a product intended to stop water pump leaks. Replacing the water pump would be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
Will it stop leak for a short term fix.
Patrick-
Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product intended to stop water pump leaks. If your water pump is leaking or starting to function improperly, we recommend having it replaced.
Thank you!
-BDP
I bought a new water pump and someone replaced it for me today but my concern is it ia leaking now am parking my car in the garage but when the engine is running it doesn’t leak. What is the problem?
Simon,
Thanks for your question about your water pump. It’s possible the leakage is just overflow from your system being too full. As your coolant heats up and expands it will force water into the overflow bottle or coolant reservoir. If that is too full, the coolant will spill out until your system level is correct. We would recommend trying to run your car again now that some coolant has spilled out and see if you get any more leaks.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Water pump leaking. Ate there any stop leak that you would recommend
Joe-
Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product intended to seal a leaking water pump. Replacing the water pump would be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
My email address tjohnnie@gmail.com I’ve searched still can’t find where the leak is from when car is driving no leaks but while parked I see leak drips off bottom railing antifreeze what is the problem
Johnnie-
Is the vehicle overheating at all? How often are you having to add water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have replaced my jaguar’s xj6 coup 1977 2-door, Water pump including bearing washer (o ring). The job was successfully cried on. The car was stored for about 11month when. Last week when I start the car I noticed that water leaking from back of the pulley which pump is mountaineers. Now after that heavy and laborer intensive I do not want to repeat and fix Manila with replacing the pump. I ther any product of your’s that I can use to fix it may be sealant and /or…
Thank you,
Looking for your prompt respond
Frank a ansari
Frank-
Thank you for asking about your Jaguar. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product intended to stop a leak coming from the water pump/water pump seals. BlueDevil does not contain any solid or particulate matter, so it would not work for the type of leak you’ve described. A hard part repair may be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
Well answered question. But is there a first aid for a leaking pump in a lorry.
John-
Thank you for asking about your lorry. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture any products that would be intended to seal a leaking water pump. The best remedy for a leaking water pump would be to have it replaced. Doing this sooner, rather than later, would be recommended.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2017 Ford Edge Titanium AWD 3.5L V6. I have my water pump located under the timing chain cover and ran by the timing chain.
About 3 months ago I noticed some oil that ran down the passenger side of engine along the front of timing chain cover and ran down the bolts that hold the timing chain cover down in front. It was coming from behind the pulley wheels, and right behind alternator where the weep hole for my water pump is.
Strangely at that time it had stopped leaking on its own. So I checked for crankcase pressure by PCV valve and seemed fine. I couldn’t find the cause. But now 3 months later about 2 weeks ago I noticed that on the bottom of my oil filter was a small droplet of oil looking like it’s about to fall, and I couldn’t find the path of oilit came from. I wiped it clean and about 3 to 5 days later it’s back. This went on for about a month more, and I finally found out what it is. The water pump is leaking oil from the seal between oil and the weep oil out of engine. I have recently tested my oil at Blackstone labs and everything is perfect and no coolant contamination. So my question would be about using either BlueDevil Pour-N-Go Oil Stop Leak, or should I use BlueDevil Rear Main Sealer to help seal that seal that is leaking oil going through weep hole and exiting out engine that is by my alternator in lower front end? I know if it leaks coolant this wouldn’t work, but since it should be exactly like the other seals inside engine….it should work right?
Jason-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Edge. Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak. BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak is more concentrated and is the universal application that will work for various leaks such as oil pan leaks, rear main leaks, valve cover gasket leaks, etc. Whereas the Rear Main Sealer is less concentrated and specifically formulated exclusively for leaking rear main seals. If you are not 100% sure where the vehicle is leaking or there seem to be multiple leaks then we recommend using BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak.
Thank you!
-BDP
Thank you very much. I’ll be changing the oil tomorrow, and putting in a bottle of BlueDevil oil stop.
A 1994 Toyota Camry 2.2 4 cylinder and the water pump is leaking do I replace the water pump and the timing belt
Walter-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Camry. Yes you would replace the timing belt when replacing the water pump because the removal of the timing belt is required in order to get to the water pump.
Thank you!
-BDP
Is it possible for a new water pump to leak if it is put improperly? I had a professional install a new timing belt and water pump a week ago and now, it appears to be leaking, spraying liquid(coolant) creating stream. It doesn’t appear that a hose broke.
Brad,
Thanks for your question about your water pump. Yes, it is certainly possible for a water pump to leak if it is improperly installed. If the bolts are torqued correctly or if the gasket is improperly installed it could cause a leak especially after your car warms up.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hello, I have a 2003 Ford Ranger XLT, and I have a decent leak of coolant coming around the water pump, it foams sometimes as well, my question is when getting to the water pump to replace the gasket, do I NEED to replace the timing belt as well? Can I not just slip the old one on after I’m done?
Thank you.
Odeh-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Ranger. When replacing the water pump, it would be a good idea to replace the timing belt as well. Both components require replacement at around the same mileage intervals. Also, the timing belt in most vehicles is what drives the water pump. If the water pump is becoming faulty and in need of replacement, it could cause damage to the timing belt in the mean time.
Thank you!
-BDP
I just replaced the water pump in a SAAB 2006 93 2.0t. since that night didn’t have the right coolant for SAAB and I wanted to see if the new pump wasn’t gonna leak I tried with just water, I filled up the reservoir a couple of times and closed it. I let it warm up and I didn’t see any leaks, I was happy for a while until the next morning I was gonna flush the water out to add the right coolant, I removed the cap off the reservoir and the water started to leak from the pump. I don’t know what to do, flush water out and use coolant and try it again, or remove the pump again and check the seal. thanks
Kabu-
Thank you for asking about your Saab. Whether you are using just water or your regular 50/50 antifreeze mix when testing to see if the new water pump replacement is holding wouldn’t really matter. If it started leaking water after you removed the reservoir cap, the same things would have happened if it was coolant in the system. Based on your description, it would be best to remove the pump and and check the seal for leaks.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi.I have a Kinroad 650cc Buggy, with a leaking water pump. I’ve ordered and paid for a new pump, but it appears that, it might be impossible to get a new pump (from China)?
Can you advise wether it’s possible to repair the old pump( bearing is fine. Just leaks water from the drain hole)! Or is the Buggy scrapp?
Alec-
Unfortunately, there really isn’t an additive to use for a leaking water pump. Replacing the water pump would be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
We have a 2007 PT cruiser,. It sprung a leak in the heater core which came out on the inside on the driver foot with burning coolant. We stopped using the vehicle until a mechanically inclined neighbour suggested a stop leak and we used Blue Devil Pour N Go Coolant Stop Leak. He ensured all fluids were topped up and the engine ran well for a week and initially hot air blew out in the cabin (if you tried that).
Yesterday with the first cool fall morning, I tried the heat and there was no cabin heat. We checked and the coolant was very low. There was now a drip / wet spot under the car that hasn’t been there before and he things the water pump now has a problem. Are these things connected ? It seems too close to be coincidence. Can I top it up and drive it without hurting it? Is there a temporary fix to try before the expense of a water pump fix ? I am low income. Thank you.
Dawn-
Thank you for asking about your PT Cruiser. Had the water pump been replaced at all recently? The BlueDevil Coolant Stop Leak only goes through one heat cycle, so it does not continue to react or continue to seal after the initial application.
Thank you!
-BDP