To improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, many newer cars have water jackets or passageways that direct water through the intake manifold. The timing belt and covers run the water pump, which is situated there and works with cooling fans and the radiator.
A water pump is critical to your car’s cooling system; it circulates coolant to maintain a constant engine temperature. If you have a bad water pump, you may see a small amount of liquid leaking from the weep hole.
However, if you see weep hole water, or a pump leaking when you have a new water pump, there could be an issue. In our guide, you can learn more about this water pump weep hole leak. By the end, you’ll know what causes it and what to do to fix the issue. (Learn How To Adjust Edelbrock Carb With Electric Choke)
What is a Weep Hole?
A weep hole is a small hole in the water pump housing designed to allow fluid to escape if the pump seal fails. This is a car engine safety feature that helps to prevent damage to other components in the cooling system, such as the engine block or timing cover.
Causes of a Water Pump Weep Hole Leak
A water pump’s weep hole could develop a leak for several varied reasons when it is brand new. Typical causes include:
- Failure of the seal: The water pump seal may cause, over time, a leak.
- Poor installation: An incorrectly placed water pump may cause a failed seal and a leak.
- Break-in period: It is typical to observe a small amount of fluid leak from the weep hole during the break-in period of a new water pump. Usually, more lubricant is forced past the seal because of this.
How to Fix Leaking Water Pump Weep Hole
Getting your water pump inspected and fixed immediately is essential if you think it might leak from the weep hole. You can take the following actions to resolve the situation:
- Replace with a new pump: Usually, replacing a leaky water pump with a new one.
- Make proper the water pump was installed correctly after being replaced; if it wasn’t, it could need to be removed and replaced again to ensure you have a proper seal.
- Verify the water pump’s torque specifications to ensure it was tightened to the proper levels to avoid leaks.
Symptoms of Water Pump Failure
Without the help of its cooling system, your car could not continue to run for very long. As you know, your engine produces a lot of heat, and the cooling system gives you a way to get rid of it.
The term “water pump” goes to one of the essential parts of your car’s cooling system. The water pump provides the force required to move coolant through the engine and radiator.
Over time, a water pump may experience issues that affect how well it functions. In the worst scenario, a new pump is required, mainly if the bearings are worn.
1. Weep Hole Leaks
The weep hole is a small hole found in every water pump.
The condition of the seals inside your water pump may be determined with great accuracy, thanks to the weep hole. Two of these seals are the internal water pump and oil seal. The oil seal ensures that the coolant and the lubricating oil for the bearings are never in contact.
The internal water pump seal achieves the opposite aim by keeping the coolant where it belongs and preventing it from contaminating the bearing oil. No liquids should leak from your weep hole as long as your seals are healthy. New water pumps are the lone exception to this rule.
- For around 10 minutes, a new water pump may leak through the weep hole.
- Following this period of motor pump break-in, the seals ought to stop any additional leaking.
- One seal has failed if coolant or oil leaks through the weep hole. This almost always requires installing a new water pump.
2. Mounting Surface Leaks
The mounting surface of the water pump may have leaks. Such leaks point to one of two problems: an improperly installed pump, or a broken seal or gasket. Every water pump has one or more gaskets and seals between the mounting surface and the engine block.
As the coolant travels from the pump to the engine, these seals ensure it cannot elude capture. Defective gaskets and seals frequently cause mounting surface leaks. This kind of leak typically occurs when an old, partially degraded component is reused or when the installer chooses the incorrect seal type, where it will fail under pressure.
New gaskets and seals are always used when installing a new water pump by skilled professionals. (Read Why Coolant Reservoir Empty)
3. Rust in Water Pump
Commercial-grade steel makes up most water pumps in use today. The level of rust resistance displayed by this steel varies. Small areas of rust may not always signify a failed water pump. More severe corrosion, however, frequently denotes a blown gasket or seal failure that lets coolant leak onto the mounting surface.
Note: If you have to fill your coolant too often, this is a sign of a leak from somewhere, be it radiator hoses, or in this case, it is harder to spot under the car hood.
Truck Water Pump Failure from Weep Hole
A weep hole can be found on a powerful water pump. It may occasionally become obstructed. Even if it seems like a minor problem, you need to deal with it immediately.
What’s a Weep Hole and How Does it Work?
A weep hole is a small hole in the water pump’s base. Its primary function is to alert you if the pump’s seals are deteriorating. Since the pump bearings are permanently lubricated, automotive water pumps have coolant seals.
Oil and coolant seals are present on HD truck water pumps. This is because engine oil lubricates the pump’s gear drive and bearing. Between the coolant and oil seals is the weep hole. Extra lubrication from the pump bearings will leak out of the housing through the weep hole if the oil seals fail.
Coolant leakage will push through the oil seals without a weep hole, and oil will drain into the coolant, contaminating the engine oil.
What does it imply when oil or coolant leaks from the weep hole?
- It means a leaking coolant seal if the coolant is visible.
- If oil is present, the oil seal is ineffective.
If you notice a small quantity of moisture or oil in the weep hole, don’t be spooked; this is pretty typical. Search for serious leaks, as sometimes the weep hole will become blocked, which will cause the water pump to malfunction, and you will end up with a failed water pump.
What Happens When the Weep Hole Gets Clogged?
Having a blocked weep hole means two things:
- There is a leak of coolant or oil (because of bad seals)
- The leak can no longer penetrate the water pump housing.
Because it can’t drain out, the leaking liquid (either coolant or oil) gets caught in the housing when the weep hole is blocked.
The seals isolating it from the other fluid will eventually be breached, allowing contamination.
As an illustration, if oil leaks past the oil seals, it will eventually be forced past the coolant seals and contaminate the coolant while also pulling oxidizing air into the assembly. The engine and cooling system can develop several significant problems because of oil/coolant. Therefore, taking action is important if you see a clogged weep hole. (Read What Does The Driveshaft Do)
How To Address a Clogged Weep Hole?
The weep hole needs to be cleaned. But a blocked or leakage from a weep hole means that the water pump’s seals are leaking; in addition, air can get in, thus your rust issues. Once you discover a blocked weep hole, replacing the entire water pump unit is preferable to prevent further problems.
