Water pump weep hole

[Toul]

Autozone says that it has to be the weep hole thats leaking or they wont warranty the replacement. I ordered a set of new water pump gaskets, and when I asked to check if my water pump was warranty'd or not he asked whether it was leaking from the weep hole or just the gasket.

I told him I hadn't tore down into it, so I didn't know yet. Either way, I'm just going to take it to a different autozone and tell them it's the weep hole. But is there an obvious way to diagnose if it's leaking from the weep hole or not? Where is it located?

 

[sperold]

The weep hole is located on the underside of the "snout" on the water pump. You might need a dentists mirror to get a good look at it.

 

[19sho90]

My weep hole leaked once. My doctor told me it was contagious.

 

[itwonder]

If a water pump is leaking, it's almost always from the weep holes. The only way it would leak around the gasket would be if you find the mounting bolts very loose, or the gasket was mis-installed. You'll know when you remove it. And IMO, take it to a different AZ. I just don't like bothering with counter people who take that kind of attitude.

 

[the bone]

Dont buy stuff from autozone like water pumps and brakes go to Napa they have quality parts. Sure you will pay a little more but what would you rather do on the weekend wrench or drive.

 

[93rev2sev]

If it worked for thousands of miles and then started leaking...it's leaking out the weep hole.

 

[rubydist]

If it worked for thousands of miles and then started leaking...it's leaking out the weep hole.

^ this.

 

[itwonder]

Dont buy stuff from autozone like water pumps and brakes go to Napa they have quality parts.

I tend to agree, if you add the word "rebuilt" to that sentence. But AZ sells the brand new Duralast water pump for the SHO. It is a high quality part that is in fact made in Japan by the same OEM, Asain, that made the original pump. I much prefer that to the *** luck of a Cardone rebuilt water pump.

 

[sdpatt]

Fluid from the weep hole is the exit path when the shaft seal is leaking. This means the pump has reached its end-of-life. Another common failure mechanism is play in the shaft bearings.

I have found that whether the pump is new or remanufactured has little to do with its lifetime. Even new pumps can be made by a bad hand/machine. I have had a new Motorcraft OEM pump that lasted less than 40,000 miles before leaking from the shaft seal (weep hole) and a remanufactured A1 Cardone pump make it to the second 60K service without a leak or bearing failure. I have also seen a reman (not on my car thankfully, but one that I insatalled) fail shortly after the installation with the impeller slipping on the shaft probably due to a faulty pressing of the impeller on the shaft. I have lived peacefully with the A1 Cardone remans and their lifetime warranty. It may be the silicate free Dexcool antifreeze that reduces wear on the rubber seals, but my SHO has made it long past the initial 60K mile service interval with each replacement. And I have had more than a few of those along the way to 425,325 miles.

 

[oneqwicksho]

Either way if its under warranty they half to swap unless it was broken while being installed. Use to be a manager go to a different one