oil leak, strange location

[DBCooper]

I've got a fairly good oil leak coming from the area between the pully that is just above the tach pickup and the block. This is the pully to the right (from drivers seat) of the fan and is held on by two 10mm bolts. My question is a. what is this? Water pump, just an idler or what? b. Is this common, or do I have something else going on. I can see the oil coming out of this area and it doesn't look like there is a gasket there. Is there anything I should look for when I remove it to seal, gasket it. Thanks for any help.

Dan

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

You are describing the water pump, sealed by a square cut o ring. The leak is probably elsewhere in origin since oil should not be near the water pump. Maybe the dowel pin problem, which would originate between the gear housing and the fan hub, usually. Or the front crank seal, with oil being slung around. I suggest you use the 25c car wash to clean the area thoroughly and then watch frequently until you see the trail of oil.

 

[DBCooper]

thanks Joe. I hope you're wrong about the pin as I just bought the parts to tab it. The leak isn't bad, just noticable. I'll let you know what I find.

 

[DBCooper]

Ok, here's the scoop. In the dark it looked like oil, but now it does look like coolant coming from between the pump and the block. It looks as though the square cut o ring has failed. Is this part available, or do I need a new pump. Before buying one, I'll make sure it's not something else, just wanted to know if I can just get the o ring. Everything else looks good as far as pully tightness and all that. Thanks

Dan

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I saw in a recent post that the pump is like $60 (or some odd figure in that ball park... ) from Napa and should come with the proper gasketing material as every waterpump I've ever changed did. Cheap insurance. I'm thinking of changing mine just for the heck of it... . it gets boring here in the winter... . then again, if I'm that bored I should change out my rear-main seal... .



Matt

 

[DBCooper]

I've seen the post you're talking about, but the pump seems fine and I thouht they'd last alot longer than 115K, so if the seal is available I'd do it. You're right that at $60 and two bolts it's not the end of the world if it comes to that. Of course I could always keep this one as a spare and take my time finding the o ring. Still looking for a good o ring sourse. Thanks for the responses.

Dan