[Vwdiesel] Water Pump Leak

[Roger Brown]

MikeyBigFish at wmconnect.com wrote:
> Ref '86 Golf 1.6L NA Diesel. (Old Paint)
> 
> Folks,
>      Water temp gauge is FLASHING, needle just past Idiot Light.
> Checked coolant reservoir and down maybe 20 oz. (so topped it off)
> Drove 5 miles and all is COOL..........
> WAIT, I see coolant under car while idling.....
> Leak is from water pump. 
> Maybe 1-2 drops per second at idle.
> Leak origin appears to be from an empty threaded 
> socket-hole at about 6 o'clock from R/F wheel. 
> I stuck my pinky in there and it is wet.
> Well, is this socket missing a bolt/screw,
> or is the water pump shot?
> What does a water pump part cost for this diesel?
> I'm sure I have the wherewithal to replace it if necessary.
> What do you think, a missing bolt or new pump?
> Thanks, Mike in VA|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Normally a plastic plug in the bottom of the pump, covering the weep hole.  When coolant starts to leak there, that is a sign 
of the pump starting to fail.  My '81 lasted several months from the first drops of leakage before it finally let go.  Problem 
is if coolant is leaking past the seals and out the weep hole, it is also leaking through the bushings and washing away any 
lubricant.  So the bushings begin to wear and that is usually what fails.  I recall the replacement pump was under $40:
	http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/CheapTricks/index.shtml#WaterPumpReplacement



-- 
    Roger