Intermittent coolant leak

[Derrick Willis]

I bought an 87 FJ-60 a few months ago. It had sat in a garage for 10 years and had 110,000 mile on it. I have been slowly going through it in my spare time. I have replaced gaskets and bearings in the T-case, and installed an H-55. Now that I am starting to drive it, I notice that it leaks about a cup of coolant every time I shut it down. Appears to be coming from water pump. It pressure tests okay when cold. I assume my water pump is going. Any thoughts? thanks

 

[2mbb]

Where is it leaking from? There's a weep hold right underneath the water pump shaft. When coolant is leaking out the weep hole, that generally means your shaft seal is bad and you will need to replace or rebuild the pump. If it's leaking around the edges, then maybe just the gasket is leaking, or some of the bolts are loose. If that's the case, you might try re-torquing the bolts. Can you do a pressure test when it's hot to confirm where it's leaking from?

 

[Derrick Willis]

Where is it leaking from? There's a weep hold right underneath the water pump shaft. When coolant is leaking out the weep hole, that generally means your shaft seal is bad and you will need to replace or rebuild the pump. If it's leaking around the edges, then maybe just the gasket is leaking, or some of the bolts are loose. If that's the case, you might try re-torquing the bolts. Can you do a pressure test when it's hot to confirm where it's leaking from?

I will take a better look. I am a little unsure how to pressure test the cooling system when hot. I guess I could run the engine for a bit without the cap on and then test it. I will give that a try. thanks

 

[High Desert]

when the engine is hot..it is under pressure, lots of pressure. If it leaks from the H2O pump when hot then the H2o pump is shot. Could be loose but more likly just normal pump failure

 

[High Desert]

when the engine is hot..it is under pressure, lots of pressure. If it leaks from the H2O pump when hot then the H2o pump is shot. Could be loose but more likly just normal pump failure

As I was saying before screwing up...Sitting up for years is hard on the cooling system. Gunk settles, anti-rust additives break down, "lubercates in the formula also don't get circulated. You fire it up and start going stuff fails, I'd do a thermostat while you have the coolant out for the pump, (flush system of course) Your thermostat will have rust and diposits on it too...

 

[Derrick Willis]

As I was saying before screwing up...Sitting up for years is hard on the cooling system. Gunk settles, anti-rust additives break down, "lubercates in the formula also don't get circulated. You fire it up and start going stuff fails, I'd do a thermostat while you have the coolant out for the pump, (flush system of course) Your thermostat will have rust and diposits on it too...

Thanks - that makes sense.