Coolant leak

[quadaddict14]

i have a very slow leak of antifreez coming from behind my waterpump it is not a crack but a perfect hole. i was wondering if there is supposed to be a screw or bolt in there.

[zillaguy89]

No.....thats the weep hole, when the seals go bad the wather is supposed to leak out there instead of making its way into the clutch case and contaminating the trans oil. Chances are good that its doing both though. Time for a water pump rebuild....about 100 bucks or so, change all the parts.

[DOPEY393]

why cant he just replace the sealsif thats all thats bad?

[Blaster350]

Originally Posted by DOPEY393

why cant he just replace the sealsif thats all thats bad?

Because 9 out of 10 times its not just the seals that are causing the leak. The shaft gets rust pits on it and that will cause the coolant to seep past the seals. You are better off replacing it all at one time, instead of tearing it apart 2 or 3 or more times trying to stop the weeping. This is a very common problem with the LT's. I tried going the cheap route on my LT by just replacing the seals, and ended up having to replace the shaft as well.

[quadaddict14]

allright ill replace the gaskets, shaft, and bolts, but what about the impeller do i have to replace that too

[nd4speed]

Originally Posted by Blaster350

Because 9 out of 10 times its not just the seals that are causing the leak. The shaft gets rust pits on it and that will cause the coolant to seep past the seals. You are better off replacing it all at one time, instead of tearing it apart 2 or 3 or more times trying to stop the weeping. This is a very common problem with the LT's. I tried going the cheap route on my LT by just replacing the seals, and ended up having to replace the shaft as well.

I have to disagree based on my 12 years of running an LT250R. I have not had to replace the water pump shaft once. Replaced the mechanical seal like four or five times.

The impeller does not have to be replaced. The suzuki manual does not show the correct installation of the mech seal. Just remember ceramic to ceramic.

[zillaguy89]

you might be able to keep the impeller, if its in good shape and doesnt move aroud on the shaft, but I would recommend replacing it too. if you keep the impeller make sure you change the sealing washer underneath the impeller bolt though.

[quadaddict14]

OK thanks for the help

[Drew67420]

Any chance we could get a sticky thread for water pumps going out on the lt?

It seems like there is a new through about it every other week... o.0

[irb]

I agree with nd4speed. The sealing surface is the ceramic to ceramic contact between the impeller and the mechanical seal, it has nothing to do with the water pump shaft. I can't speak for the 85-86, but on the 87-92 that's how it is. I replaced the mechanical seal and sealing washers on my 89 about 3 months ago and the water pump shaft was rusted and pitted and I have not had any problems. When you fill it back up use about an ounce of Bar's Leaks like it says in the Cylmer manual and you will be good to go.