Leaking "leakless" water pump

N

Nlbloch

Member
It's great to get the car out of winter storage, but disheartening to discover new problems.

Last year I worked all summer on solutions to an overheating cooling system, and finally gave in to purchase a new radiator. Works like a charm.

This Spring I noticed that the car which was stored in a heated garage all winter -- with a small amount of anti-freeze added -- has a small leak from the water pump. The pump is relatively new (maybe five years old) and was a leakless varitety. I no longer remember brand.

Have others exprienced failures in their pumps? Could the excessively hot radiator water from pre-replaced radiator have damaged the pump? Are these fixable or should it just be replaced? If replaced, how do I avoid getting one that will fail again in a few years.

Any tips on special consideratios when doing the replacement?

thanks to all
 
James Rupert extreme leakless is what I have, narry a problem in 4+ years.

(probably the link Mitch posted)
 
The difference between an original type of rebuilt water pump (the kind with packing like Henry did it) and the modern type of "Leakless" water pump - is . The "leakless" water pump has not leaked YET.
 
James Rupert is the way to go. Mitch posted the link. Very fair and plesent to talk to if you have questions.
 
You mentioned "a little antifreeze added". Does this mean during the summer no antifreeze, or only a little all year round?

If any rust developes in the coolant, it can be very bad for any water pump seals. 50% antifreeze will give good rust and freeze protection, as well as water pump lubrication.
 
I have a new Leakless pump on mine. I believe there are a couple of types.
Mine recommends grease every 500 miles. The instructions say to back off the packing nut. (which should not be tight) pump grease until you see it coming out around the bushing and screw nut back on again not tight just snug it up.
 
My opinion of antifreeze is its crap .makes all gaskets and hoses leak including head gasket ..better to use an antirust and/or water pump lube..I drain my car every night when driven in winter time..plain water cools better than AF..look it up ..AF has a higher boiling point which is good for newer cars..
 
I'm running an original pump, of course the car hadn't run since 1958, repacking and a good lube and not a drop yet, I've only driven two or three mile at a time for maybe a total of 25 miles, but not a problem yet...knock on wood.
I'll continue with the old before I spring for a new.

and antifreeze is a MUST
 
As mentioned, ensure it's properly lubed and tighten up the packing nut.

Any play in the shaft?

I don't use antifreeze in the Model-A but I do use water pump lubricant with rust inhibitor.
 
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Yes, antifreeze is good stuff. I use it in all of my modern vehicles. I could never keep it from weeping past the head studs and head gasket in the Model-A.

It lives in a garage and winter temps never get low enough to freeze here in Florida.
 
The only reason you guys have trouble with the original water pump, is that you don't take care of it. Just a little care, and it's good for years. Easy to fix on the road too. If you run leakless, you better have a spare because your friends can't fix it, and eventually, it will leak. Drive that A. If you are not putting 1,000 miles a year on your car, you are going to have trouble with a lot of things. Those cars want to go.
 
Update: Leaking "leakless" water pump

Thanks, all, for your input.

I'm wondering if the leak may be coming from the packing nut, and whether a packing nut can be sealed better on a "modern" pump? How are these nuts removed -- the design doesn't lend itself to a normal wrench. There does not appear to be any end-play or other excessive wear.

also, wondering if rust inhibitor can be used together with anti-freeze?
 
You need to buy the special wrench for the water pump. It's only a couple bucks from the dealers. In fact if you buy two of them and tape them together you have a better bite on the teeth of the nut.
 
I have a "Leakless" on my coupe and so far, it's lived up to it's name. Maybe because my engine always ran cool. I don't know. Has it ever overheated? It seems to me that overheating would be a good way to destroy the seals. Just thinking.
Terry
 
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