Leaking water pump new Honda pump at 134000!! Any suggestions besides changing the pump

I had a new timing belt and water pump installed at 134000 miles now the pump is leaking at a 143000 miles. Should I change the pump or add something to stop the leak.

My car has 143000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
I never recommend using a "fix-in-a-can" or a "stop leak," as this can add sludge to your engine. You may just have a faulty gasket for the water pump or even a faulty water pump. In either scenario, the valve cover and timing covers have to be removed to determine the cause of the leak. It may be a simple gasket problem or an issue with installation. I would definitely not recommend using stop leak as it will sludge your engine.

I would recommend a pressure test and a visual inspection of the leak once the covers are removed.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

When a water pump gets replaced, it`s not unusual to have some coolant leaking and for the weep hole to see some seepage. If the leak is small, it could just be from the seal`s break-in period.
Leaks tend to occur when the gaskets and seals that connect the water pump to the cooling system fail as they get older, causing coolant liquid to leak and puddle under the engine. This can grow into a more serious issue when the water pump casing develops a leak.
The whole purpose of pump seals – either mechanical seals or packing seals – is to contain the pressure of the pumping process and withstand the friction of the pump shaft rotating to prevent the pump from leaking.
Permatex Water Pump and Thermostat RTV Silicone Gasket is a non-corrosive, sensor-safe RTV silicone gasket material formulated specifically for water pumps and thermostat housings. This gasket maker has the highest water-glycol resistance available in an RTV silicone.
An improper seating, damaged seal, or misaligned gasket can mean the water pump is not operating efficiently or, worse, is under undue stress from misalignment. Improper installation will likely also cause immediate leakage from the mounting surface.
It may not be needed, but it helps hold the gasket in place and doesn`t hurt. Just don`t gob it on there where it squishes out the sides much.
The most common is improper lubrication when the incorrect lubricant is used or not enough is applied. Bearings also fail in extreme temperatures. Another cause of failure is bearing overload, e.g., a pump cavitating from lacking the proper flow will increase pressure on the impeller`s front.
This is a preemptive sign of water pump wear and or seal failure. While your system is hot or under pressure, fluid will leak out, but once the engine cools it will stop.
One of the common signs of bad water pump functionality is overheating. The pump may not leak coolant, but the pump mechanism itself may have failed. Over time the fins of the pump can actually wear down to the point where they are no longer moving coolant.
With the engine off, open your hood and locate the water pump pulley. With gloves on, grab it and wiggle it back and forth. There should be no movement, if there is, this along with the noise is a good indication you may have a water pump problem.
Yes, your water pump can leak even if your engine is off.

Hoses can be damaged, which can cause them to rupture. It`s definitely possible, but you shouldn`t start worrying about replacing any parts just yet.

Both pumps were supplied with a cellulose / rubber binder gasket. These gaskets do not require the use of any sealants. However if the mating surface is damaged a small skim coat of sealant is allowable with these types of gaskets.
Typically Mechanical seals are usually manufactured in Carbon Ceramic, with a Stainless Steel Spring. Carbon is a good general choice for the majority of applications where a fluid is compatible, not contaminated and fairly clean. However at times a hard faced mechanical seal may be more appropriate.
Faulty seals are the most common reason for failure. An improper seating, damaged seal, or misaligned gasket can mean the water pump is not operating efficiently or, worse, is under undue stress from misalignment. Improper installation will likely also cause immediate leakage from the mounting surface.
So when the water pump must be replaced, it is a good idea to go ahead and also replace the timing belt, timing belt tensioner and idler pulleys.
Permatex Water Pump & Thermostat RTV Silicone Gasket Maker is a noncorrosive, sensor-safe RTV silicone gasket material formulated for water pumps and thermostat housings. Permatex Water Pump & Thermostat has the highest water-glycol resistance available in an RTV silicone.
It is important to always use lubrication during installation. If lubrication is not used at all or the proper amount is not used, it can take away what theoretically is being applied to the gasket.
Modern Water Pumps Can`t Be Lubricated

A modern water pump has a permanently lubricated sealed bearing. There is a seal at the front (pulley side) of the bearing, and two seals at the rear (impeller side) of the bearing.

The water pump is one of the vehicle components that may never require replacement if your vehicle is well-taken care of. You can own a car for over 15 years and never have to replace the water pump. That`s not to say that it can`t develop a problem.
Can you drive a car with a leaky water pump? Yes you can, but there are a few risks. Your car could overheat because the coolant level becomes low. Proper coolant is expensive, so the leak has a certain cost.
Remember, a leaking and corroded water pump should always be replaced. Another tell-tale sign is sound. Worn out pump bearings, or a loose pulley, can cause a whirring noise.
It could be a leaking hose or a radiator hole. Solution: Check to see if any coolant is leaking from your hoses. If you find coolant flowing out of the hose(s), replace them. It`s a simple fix if you find coolant leaking from your thermostat.
To check if your pump is operating efficiently, measure the power consumed by the pump and check it against the pumps performance curve. The pump curve will specify how much power you should be using at the flow and pressure your pump is generating. This helps you to identify which pumps are not operating efficiently.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Leaking water pump new Honda pump at 134000!! Any suggestions besides changing the pump
ANSWER : I never recommend using a "fix-in-a-can" or a "stop leak," as this can add sludge to your engine. You may just have a faulty gasket for the water pump or even a faulty water pump. In either scenario, the valve cover and timing covers have to be removed to determine the cause of the leak. It may be a simple gasket problem or an issue with installation. I would definitely not recommend using stop leak as it will sludge your engine.

I would recommend a pressure test and a visual inspection of the leak once the covers are removed.

My water pump is leaking but I replaced timing belt and pump a year ago. Can I just replace the water pump this time?
ANSWER : Hello. You can just replace the water pump in this case. Although, the cost of just the timing belt is fairly negligible in comparison to the total labor of the job. My estimator says the water pump is a 6.5 hour job. Multiply that by whatever the shop rate is and you have the total labor without parts. You end up saving about $100 or less on parts if you only replace the pump.

The deciding factor will be the condition of the timing belt. If it has problems, you won’t be saving yourself any money by reusing it. In addition, there are seals and pulleys that may need to be replaced as well.

Assuming all the related parts were replaced the first time around, there isn’t a reason you can’t reuse them. I would say you should weigh the savings of reusing them against the actual condition of the parts. This is best determined after a complete disassembly. Keep in mind, time estimates will vary a bit depending on many factors. Either way, the labor is the largest cost.

If you would like to have the water pump replaced, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to perform this service at your convenience.

Cranks and runs rough have to keep foot in gas to keep running. Has new fuel pump and died while driving after pump was changed
ANSWER : Check fuel pressure. There are only three possible explanations: a fault in fuel supply (plugged filter, injectors, etc.); ignition system problems; and air induction including the idle air control valve, throttle position sensor, mass air flow sensor and vacuum leaks including the PCV and EGR systems. If obvious, and easy to check, possibilities do not reveal the fault, the recommended service to request is a rough running diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will travel right to your location and get this diagnosed and resolved for you. It is also possible that diagnostic trouble codes have set and the mechanic will attempt to retrieve those using an appropriate scan tool. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic.

Can a jeep run and drive without a water pump??
ANSWER : Driving or running the engine without the water pump working to circulate the coolant through the motor will cause the motor to overheat and may damage the engine costing thousands of dollars versus using a tow truck to take the vehicle to the shop that will cost a lot less. I would not recommend running the engine more than a few minutes at a time or you will overheat it.

Fuel pump not pumping gas. 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
ANSWER : Hey there, thanks for writing in about your 1996 Chevrolet Blazer. If you hear the pump, but still get no fuel out of the pump, then you have the power and ground backwards in the wiring or they have it backwards on the pump. If you need help having this checked, a certified professional from YourMechanic can inspect the starting issue and let you know what repairs are necessary.

I have a 00 deville I just changed the water pump housing and water pump the thermostat and radiator the upper and lower radiator 2000 Cadillac De Ville
ANSWER : Hi there – I suspect your radiator is clogged or otherwise corroded so that it is not shedding heat as efficiently as it should. Idling with the heater on was getting rid of heat without loading the radiator. When you’re driving, the engine is generating more heat than both the heater and radiator can get rid of. Checking the difference between hot coolant going to the radiator (top hose), and going back into the engine (bottom hose) may show that there is very little temperature difference. This means the radiator is not doing it’s job, and need to be professionally cleaned or replaced. Good diagnostic effort on your part to avoid the obvious "it’s another Northstar head gasket" diagnosis! For confirmation, I would recommend an overheating inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

I changed fuel pump and truck ran great for 3 days. Now after 3 days truck dies. It will start runs few min then dies like before
ANSWER : Check the bottom of the fuel tank for sediment. Age and mileage could have accumulated a lot of it at the bottom of the tank. If you did not, check and change the fuel filter. Rule of thumb – replace the fuel filter any time you replace a fuel pump. Also, check the wiring for any chaffing on the fuel pump when you remove it. While your problem is kind of unique, I have seen many GM truck fuel tank baffle loosen over time, occasionally rubbing against the fuel pump can intermittently short it out and/or block the fuel pump pick up. To have this diagnosed, consider having a certified expert from YourMechanic inspect the stalling issue to have this corrected.

It cranks doesn’t start new batteries, oil pressure switch new pmd, new injection pump. new alternator, new glow plugs.
ANSWER : Hello.

A crank but no start condition can be caused by many things. A few common causes are a faulty crank position sensor, or issues with the fuel system. The crank position sensor is used in the engine’s fuel calculations, and in some cases it’s failure will disable the engine.

It may also be possible that there is issues with the fuel system that are preventing the engine from running. If the fuel pump or injectors have an issue the engine may not run correctly, or at all. It may also be possible, for either case, that the issue may be wiring related.

I would start by trying to determine if the engine is getting fuel and then going from there. If you need assistance with these checks, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can come to you in order to diagnose your starting issue firsthand for an accurate repair.