Phaedras Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Urgent because I am stuck 500 miles away in Walterboro, SC. We are talking rivers here. What I have been assuming is my water pump had been leaking slightly for a few months before I went on a 500 mile trip to a family reunion yesterday. Coolant/water was gushing out the very SECOND I began to refill the radiator. Now I know for sure it isn't the radiator because the leak seems to originate in the pump area and runs down to the oil pan. I was able to procure a remanned pump + plus seal that I affixed with that copper sealant stuff. However, it is still occuring in the same fashion as before. And yes, I did my best to remove all of the original gasket. Is it possible this is a headgasket leak? I have noticed not the slightest bit of coolant in my exhaust, but it still seems a freak possibility. The engine overheated about 2-3 times as I made a run for it to get to the place. I am noticing brown oil stains in areas around seams in the block, however it does not leak oil at all as I sit here to fix it. Does anyone know how to fix this problem or lives in or around Charleston who graciously would be able to lend me a hand? I am stuck here, unable to return to school or work while my engine loses all it's coolant within 30 miles of driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 I am not nearby, so sorry. The o-ring on the waterpump inlet pipe OK? How about the heater-hose line near the waterpump? Was there a noticeable coolant-dye trail anywheres around the waterpump? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RavenTBK Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Now if this had happened at home, I'd have no problem running down to Orlando to assist you. But nooo.. I know you were telling youself "It'll be fine.. it'll make it". I'm far from being an EA82 master, so I cannot hand you an answer.. but what I do know is to check the various heater hoses/bypass hoses around the front of the block. I'd hazard a guess that most likely one of those decided to pop.. which would cause the issue you describe. I dont agree with the head gasket assessment, but anything is possible. Check those bypass hoses dude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roundeye Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Also check the small hose that goes from the base of the housing where the thermostat is to the intake. It's located kinda under the power steering pump. 1/4 inch hose....looks like a vac. hose. It will allow coolant to run down the front of the engine. Also look at the thermostat housing and points where the intake bolts to the heads. Another (remote) possibility is, you could have a hole in the back side of your radiator spraying a fine (high pressure) stream towards your engine. The best way is to fill it up and run it while looking it over. You will see where it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboobaroo Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 Ok just a quick question for you: Did you check the 90* hose coming off of the top of the waterpump to make sure it wasn't split? They have a tendency to split on the back side where you won't see them but will leak like a river. Check it to see if thats the problem. Should only be like a $10 part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 I think one of the hoses that Roundeye or Caboobaroo mentions is your problem. They are real hard to see and get at. You may have to remove the radiator to work on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phaedras Posted May 31, 2005 Author Share Posted May 31, 2005 Northwet was right Finally! Good thing I have tons of redneck relatives that have been working on cars for years, even if not Subarus...It turns out the o-ring on the metal pipe that runs from the radiator to the side of the pump decided to go. Also, for some reason, the bracket holding the AC and Alt which sits right on top was also causing the hose/tube to sit crooked, compounding the problem. At first we assumed it was the pump, since the gasket was in tatters. A remanned pump and bulletproof gasket + copper gasket paste combo later we realized that it did not get any better. I spent most of the reunion weekend figuring out and fixing the problem. I even had to redo the timing because I had to pop off the driver's tensioner and drive belt idle pulley to even get the pump off (Chilton didn't mention any of this) Now the leak is fixed. However, I am unable to tighten the alternator bracket 100%, because the leak will reappear immediatley. I'm assuming this is because the bracket is applying pressure to the line and shoving it out of the way. It doesnt really matter, I was able to tighten 2 bolts enough that the bracket does not move and the drive belt is tight. The engine is somewhat more "rumbly" and "chatters" whenever I am under a certain RPM. Hey, but I got home, that was what mattered. Thanks for the offered help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 I am glad that one of us could help you. I am even more glad that you got it home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 Good call NorthWet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tregare Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 Hmmm, I've never had to take the belts or tensioner off to do a water pump... Northwet was right Finally! Good thing I have tons of redneck relatives that have been working on cars for years, even if not Subarus...It turns out the o-ring on the metal pipe that runs from the radiator to the side of the pump decided to go. Also, for some reason, the bracket holding the AC and Alt which sits right on top was also causing the hose/tube to sit crooked, compounding the problem. At first we assumed it was the pump, since the gasket was in tatters. A remanned pump and bulletproof gasket + copper gasket paste combo later we realized that it did not get any better. I spent most of the reunion weekend figuring out and fixing the problem. I even had to redo the timing because I had to pop off the driver's tensioner and drive belt idle pulley to even get the pump off (Chilton didn't mention any of this) Now the leak is fixed. However, I am unable to tighten the alternator bracket 100%, because the leak will reappear immediatley. I'm assuming this is because the bracket is applying pressure to the line and shoving it out of the way. It doesnt really matter, I was able to tighten 2 bolts enough that the bracket does not move and the drive belt is tight. The engine is somewhat more "rumbly" and "chatters" whenever I am under a certain RPM. Hey, but I got home, that was what mattered. Thanks for the offered help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phaedras Posted June 1, 2005 Author Share Posted June 1, 2005 From what remember it seemed necessary to take at least one of those pulleys off to wiggle the pump out, otherwise it just kept snagging and would have smeared the gasket sealant we put on later all over the place had we tried to force it back in later somehow. It was also necessary to figure out where the leak was originating. Those pulleys can block a lot of your view, even if you have a mirror-onna-stick like we did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RavenTBK Posted June 1, 2005 Share Posted June 1, 2005 Hearing about you having to take all that garbage off to change out the water pump makes me love the EA81 even more. Glad you got running again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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