Weep hole still leaking?

Water pumps all come with a hole in them. They need the weep hole to warn you when seals are about to fail in the pump. The weep hole is intended to allow extra lubricant from the pump bearings to drip out of the water pump housing. Without this hole, the oil would be forced past the water pump seal and get into the engine coolant. The hole also allows coolant to escape the pump housing instead of being forced past the oil seals to contaminate the bearings.


Seal failure:

The way you can tell if a seal if about to fail is by checking the weep hole to see what is coming out If oil comes out of the weep hole, it means you have a blown or failing oil seal. If, instead, water or anti-freeze leaks out of the weep hole, then you have a leaking internal water pump seal in the case. Small amounts of moisture or oil around the weep hole is probably not a problem, but if there is significant leakage of water or oil, it is time to replace the water pump.

Some manufactures allow a certain amount of leakage from the weep hole, if it is just showing signs of dried coolant, i would not be very concerned, but if it is flowing freely and you need to top up the coolant, you will have a problem with the pump. are you using genuine or after market pumps? i would probably go with a genuine pump if the aftermarket is being a problem.

This is all assuming that the leak is from the water pump weep hole and not the weep hole in the bottom of the timing cover. According to the picture attached below it doesn't look like there is any other sources of coolant in the front of the engine.. Did you get the sealing surface clean? are you buying quality pumps or less expensive reman units?

Engine Cooling problem
1997 Dodge Intrepid 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic
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I need to replace the water pump and timing belt on a 1997 Dodge Intrepid 6cyl. 3.5L MFI.

I am not sure if my car needs a water pump with 3 mounting holes or 6 mounting holes.

I have not been under the hood and I am having a friend fix my car for me. How do I know which type of water pump I need?

this is what my book show for 3.5 l

I have a 2002 dodge intrepid with a 2.7 engine and the water pump needs replaced. Is it true that the engine has to be removed to do it and it will take 5 hours to do it. Please advise. Thanks.

[quote:fa84285d40="jilliek6"]I have a 2002 dodge intrepid with a 2.7 engine and the water pump needs replaced. Is it true that the engine has to be removed to do it and it will take 5 hours to do it. Please advise. Thanks.[/quote:fa84285d40]

Hey Jill,
As I read the procedure, its basically a timing chain removal to get to the water pump. Will be happy to send along the procedure and pics if your doing it yourself. 5 hours is a good # for the job, but looks like the motor stays in the car! Let us know!

Chris

'96 Intrepid SE-3.5L-160,000 miles. Does the radiator have to come out? Does the engine have to be jacked up? Does the timing belt have to be replaced? If someone has the proper tools, what would be a ballpark figure of how many working hours it may take? Thanks for reading

May be a water pump, may be a hose. Use small mirrors and good lighting to get a good look at where it's coming from.

First, make sure that the coolant is coming from inside the tin covers on the front of the engine. My Intrepid had a leak at the o-ring on the bottom of the thermostat housing where it goes to the block. The leak here looked a LOT like the water pump.
The water pump is located behind the covers with the timing belt, and is driven by the timing belt.

To answer your questions, as follows:
1. I would recommend the removal of the radiator and cooling fans. The harmonic balancer will have to be removed, and you'll need the room to get it out.

2. The engine does not have to be jacked up.

3. I would recommend the replacement of the timing belt and tensioner pulley. You've got both out anyway, no time like the present. There should be no additional labor, just parts.

I've done the complete job on mine in about 3 1/2 hrs using my air tools. Hand tools will extend it to about 4 1/2 to 5 hrs.

Just a 'for what it's worth' note. I couldn't budge the harmonic balancer with a proper puller, so after a couple of calls to the dealer, one of the service managers admitted that they don't bother trying to pull it, they just work it around into position. It is quite a challenge but it works. I have a '96 with the 3.5 and my tensioner pulley had 'blown up'. I also managed without pulling the radiator since I didn't need to pull the balancer. You have probable gotten beyond all this since it is now late August but it might help others.

Engine Cooling problem
1997 Dodge Intrepid 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic
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Can I please get a diagram of a 1997 Dodge Intrepid base sedan 3.5L MFI 6cyl. please?

I don't have the money to order or buy one of those expensive auto books right now.

I really need to see if I need a water pump with 3 mounting holes or 6 mounting holes.

best take the timing cover off and check book don't show if 3 or 6 bolts
as is you need to replace it