TheSamba.com :: View topic - 84 van

Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:36 pm

There is a round 6 mm hole below and and down an inch down from my water pump drive shaft where it exits the housing. It has been leaking water; a steady drip drip. I don't see any threads for a zerk. Maybe one was pressed in during manufacture. The pump sez 'LASO' Made in W. Germany. I love the Samba.

Doggerel

Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:54 pm

As I recall, that's an indicator that your water pump is worn out. The wear on the parts inside exposes the hole and then you get the 'Saxon Water Torture' reminder to replace it.

Best!

Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:41 pm

you must be kidding me. The pump works well. There is zero wobble to the shaft and it spins freely. There is sign of what I would guess is dried out grease flakes in that hole. Small amounts of water have leaked in behind the impeller but I don't follow this mysterious hole. Saxon water torture. I needed a good laugh. Tell you were joking.
I can pit an awl 3/4 of an inch inside that hole before I hit any thing and it is not only a hole but a tiny shaft as it has sides all the way down.The more I think about tne dumber I feel. It has to be for a zerk fitting.

Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:35 pm

doggerel wrote: It has to be for a zerk fitting.
Sorry, it is a weep hole. It relieves the water from the bearing when the seal fails, keeping the bearing from failing so soon.
Al

Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:27 pm

darn it..There it is. Thanks to both of you fellas. I'm fortunate to be able to mine the bottomless wealth of information here on the samba. Am lucky to that I have a new-used pump handy. Thank you, gentlemen.

Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:46 am

doggerel wrote: darn it..There it is. Thanks to both of you fellas. I'm fortunate to be able to mine the bottomless wealth of information here on the samba. Am lucky to that I have a new-used pump handy. Thank you, gentlemen.

Now the "fun" in replacing it. If you plan to do it yourself, search here on "waterpump", and you will come to a couple of threads in your search about the "fun" folks go through in replacing it. Removing its pulley, getting at the water hose clamps, etc.

The good news is that once it is done, you're good to go for another 100K or so.

Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:08 am

Depends: 1.9 wbx; real bitch of a job. 2.1 wbx; easy-greasy.

Every water pump for all types of engines has a weep hole to relieve the seal. It works just as Al says it does. Sometimes a brand new pump will drip one or two drops from there when it is first run, as the seal packing absorbs some coolant, so don't be alarmed; it will stop. Depends on how long the part has been is storage.