Fiero Worky but Water Leaky

[PK]

And now on to the next task...I noticed a year or so ago, after sitting unused for more than half a year, when I took dangermouse out of the lockup for an airing that there was a small spot of water underneath.

Now my mission is to track it down and fix.  From an initial reccy, there is the shine of water at the water pump but on the top of the housing rather than underneath!  I need to get out in good light and have a further investigate with the car running but would appreciate any advice at this early stage.

If the water pump needs to come off anyway to fix the leak I will probably replace it, even if it isn't the cause of leak.  Can you recommend a brand of water pump please, with metal impeller?  If anyone has a part number I can try and cross reference that would also be handy.  Do the pumps normally come with a gasket?  I also understand that a clamp is available to hold the timing cover in place during fitment?

Are there any other items that will be required for pump replacement as it won't just be a case of popping out to the shop if I miss anything.

The car is a 1986 2.8.

Cheers
PK

 

[GTRS Fiero]

The water pumps from TFS come with a gasket, but even they recommend using a different (better) gasket.

Get the gasket for your thermostat housing, if you remove that.

I suspect your problem, though, is a leaky cap.  Simple to replace, if so.  You can wrap some paper towels over the cap, and down the housing, hold in place with a rubber band, and go for a drive.  If the paper towels end up wet, you have your answer.

[Fierofool]

Over here, AutoZone Auto Parts stores have their own brand.  You can read in the description that it comes with a gasket and a bracket.  That bracket/clamp must be installed before removing the old water pump.  It's used to keep the timing cover sealed against the block, preventing a continuous leak that can allow coolant into the oil pan. 

At PartsTrain.Com they list a Gates water pump.  Has the gasket and clamp.  If they will ship to you.  Gates is a good brand over here.
http://www.partstrain.com/store/details/Pontiac/Fiero/Gates/Water_Pump/1986/GT/6_Cyl_2-dot-8L/GAT43092.html?vdesc=true

[PK]

Thanks for the info that great.  Parts train will send the water pump.. shipping is . ..   126.69 and then handling and other made up costs will probably be another 50+.  But not too worry I will make a list and ask Todd.

I hope it's the thermo cap but that is relatively new and replaced a few years ago with radiator. Really hoping it's something simple but fear it may be the gasket behind the pump.

[GTRS Fiero]

My BRAND NEW Stant cap leaked.

[PK]

I managed to pop in to hangar for 5 mins and the water is quite a bit forward of the cap.  Checking will definitely be the first step though as easy to do.

[Fierofool]

Those PartsTrain prices are absolutely ridiculous.  You might do as Proff in Australia does.  Parts for his Toyota and Jeep Liberty are very expensive in Australia.  He's purchased parts and had them shipped to me, then I ship them to him.  Even with the two shipping expenses, it's way cheaper than shipping direct, if they will even ship overseas.  Maybe Todd can do that for you.

[PK]

I would be stuck without Todd.  He shops around and collects parts from various sources then bundles them up and sends in one box.  I would be lost without his help.

Sir Rodney of Dickman has also gone out of his way to send bits with an order that he wouldn't normally stock.

Hopefully this weekend I will get a chance to have a look at what's going on with the leak.

[GTRS Fiero]

Forward of the cap, as in, toward the firewall?  Be the cabin-side valve cover?  There are 2 sensors there: the cold start switch, and the fan switch.  If they aren't installed correctly, they could leak.  There is a hose coming off the thermostat housing.  Is that hose leaking?  Of course, there is the gasket on the water pump.

[PK]

Today I finally got the time to adjust the timing and then moved onto the water leak.

 I cleaned up the existing mess, and observed the leak eminating from the pump area where it meets the pulley.... Sigh.  Pump time?  I will start spraying the bolts now!  It doesnt look like much funto access.  My friend has a mk 1 soarer with water pump on the end with an acre of space for access so he had a good chuckle at my pump location.

So my shopping list is:

Gates water pump including gasket and clamp
Is there a high quality gasket I could fit if gates one not up to it?
Thermo housing gasket (can't do any harm to have it spare).

I did wonder about replacing the timing chain while I have the pump off but there are no obvious signs that it is struggling.

Oubt else I might need for this task?

PK

[Fierofool]

Gates products are one of the major brands over here.  They've long been one of the major belt manufacturers.  The gasket should be good, but if you want, you could also purchase one made by FelPro.  If it's available over there, there's a product made by PermaTex.  It's a gasket sealer.  It may be sold under the name of Form-A-Gasket.  It's a brown sticky sealer.  Some of the FelPro gaskets suggest putting them on naked without any sealer.

When you receive your new water pump, keep it beside you when removing the old one.  Get the clamp on and tightened down really good before loosening any pump bolts.  Be sure that you have the bolts removed from each location.  I've heard of people overlooking one particular bolt and breaking something when trying to remove the pump. 

You might ask on PFF if anyone can provide a picture of the clamp installed.  It's been posted several times.  Patrick may be the one that will eventually provide it.  He seems to have a good archive.

[TopNotch]

If it's a V6, pay particular attention to the recommended water pump bolt tightening specs. There's one that's on a sort-of free-floating tab of metal, and if you tighten it too much, you will break the tab, and ruin the water pump.

[Fierofool]

Maybe that's the breaking point I remember people mentioning. 

[PK]

Great info thanks chaps.  I will get the bits ordered and report back.

Cheers
PK

[PK]

Just perusing my pics of the water pump leak and unusual location near top of pump ...I can see a line. . Might be casting mark or possibly fracture?  The water initially appears from the shiny patch nearest the pulley and then tracks out . I guess it doesn't really matter as will replace pump anyways.