problem with water pump

[Jonsey]

about a week ago, i noticed a really tiny puddle of antifreeze on the floor in the garage.I looked around the radiator and noticed the drain switch was leaking a little, but its been doing that since i got the car so i thought nothing of it and tightened it and drove off.When I was walking to leave from work, I noticed the puddle again.this time it wasnt the drain plug.It was coming from the side of the water pump i believe, and running off the side of the starter, n falling to the floor.Is the gasket for my pump toast?Do i need to get a new water pump?I dont think I can do It myself cuz I just dont have time.Anybody have estimates for takin it to a local shop?sorry for so many questions

[89LincolnTWNcar]

I've seen $120-$400 dollar repair quotes.

[Southern_Pride]

You can do it yourself. Gasket is like 2-3 bux. Just cross you fingers and pray to god you dont break any bolts. Pump is like 40 if you need to change it.

[Jonsey]

problem is that i dont know if i need to change it or not lol.
I think the water pump working, because i havent overheated.and it only leaks when the car sits, never when its running.so i believe its the gasket

[1987cp]

Then pull it off, reseal the back of it, and skip the gasket and reinstall with plenty of RTV. If it keeps leaking it's the shaft seal and you need a new pump.

Though, if you clean the area thoroughly and then drive the car a bit, you should be able to tell whether it's coming from the back of the pump or from the "weep hole" on the snout - that's where it leaks when the shaft seal goes bad.

Or just buy a new/rebuilt pump at AutoZone and toss it on. They're cheap.

Oh, and 89LincolnTWNcar:

[Jonsey]

lol ok.what all do i have to take off to get to it?how long you think it'l take?

[1987cp]

It's by far the most convenient if you do remove the fan. In order, I'd be removing: fan, fan shroud, alternator, alternator bracket, a/c bracket, water pump. Not a big deal as long as you bag all the bolts, which I usually don't and then I have to go searching for them later.

Time for the swap? Depends on how fast you work, but I'd allow maybe 2-3 hours if it's your first time.

[Jonsey]

yea it'd be my first time.pretty straightforeward, thanks for the help

[Brown_Muscle]

good luck, I had the same problem with my pump, would only leak when I sat. The old gasket wouldn't totally come off so I just used RTV on it and it hasn't leaked since. I dont know what your going for but if you buy a new or reman'd one I would recommend painting it with some high temp paint first, I didnt and it has a ton of surface rust and is an eye sorer in my nice clean engine compartment..wish i had painted it..haha

[Southern_Pride]

Considering the price of a gasket, if you take it off you may as well do it right the first time instead of half assing it with rtv. For both gaskets on the water pump it was less than 5 bux and if you change em both you know for a fact it wont leak there again, so why waste the money on rtv. Takes about 3 hours to do it right, maybe 4 depending on how much of a pain in the ass the old gasket is. Either way do yourself a favor and start spraying PB blaster on the bolts now.

[Brown_Muscle]

lol it was the first time ive ever really worked on a car... and it was really stuck to the block...ive been fine with it, i only buy the best for my vehicle,wasnt cause i was cheap. But I agree go with a gasket, its more professional.

[grandpaslincoln]

Woah woah woah, hold on a minute. Antifreeze is dripping off the starter? Water takes the path of least resistance. It's not gonna travel all the way to the back of the block and drip off the starter, it's going to want to drip straight down. Is there actually antifreeze on the water pump itself? Check the intake bolts, make sure they are all tight. Check everywhere on the engine for a possible antifreeze leak.

[cvpi]

Woah woah woah, hold on a minute. Antifreeze is dripping off the starter? Water takes the path of least resistance. It's not gonna travel all the way to the back of the block and drip off the starter, it's going to want to drip straight down. Is there actually antifreeze on the water pump itself? Check the intake bolts, make sure they are all tight. Check everywhere on the engine for a possible antifreeze leak.

I was just thinking of that one my self. a intake gasket isn't the end of the world either.

[cvpi]

Oh and I think I bought a water pumper rebuild from my local autozone for $34, so its really cheap, if infact thats whats wrong. You said its not leaking when driving?

[gadget73]

Water pump is at the front of the motor. Starter is at the back. Where are you seeing antifreeze? If its the pump, you'll see drips somewhere around it. If coolant drips off the starter, I'd say intake gasket or freeze plug rotted out.