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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Water Pump Leak?

Yesterday I was stuck in heavy traffic for almost an hour. It was about 85 Deg and my 1972 midget was getting very hot.
I pulled into a parts store to add Water Wetter and noticed a small amount of water near the fan. I filled the radiator w/ water and wetter and took off. A mile later I pulled into another parts store and saw a stream of water coming strait down out of the front of the engine. I added a can of stop leak, filled some jugs and went for it.
I drove 150 miles home with normal engine temp. and no leaks.
This morning I pulled the radiator and I can't see anything wrong. It sure looked like the pump yesterday. I haven't pulled the pump out yet, but the shaft turns smooth and doesn't wobble.
The hoseds seem ok.

My thought is to replace the pump and the small hose between the pump and head and reassemble. Any other ideas or recomendations on sourceing a quality water pump?
Thanks, Phil
Phil

This is a long shot, but are all the bolts tight around the pump, another thing, Im sure you have checked is the hose clamps, I know hoses to to "Relax" over time.

But Im with you it well could be a worn out water pump, or that stupid little hose between the head, being that you have gone thur the hassle of pulling the rad, Id spend the extra $35 and get a new water pump and gasket, after all if you put it back togather and fill with rad fluid then find its the water pump....you will have more then just the orginal $35 water pump esp. with anti fresse costing almost $18 gal.


what about the temp sending area by the thermostate, mabe tht capulary tube screw in section needs some new plumbers putty.

Id look at re-torqueing the head as a last option

hang in there
Prop

mmmm, another thought....To much beer, and forgeting where you wizzed...LOL.
Prop***The End in 2012

The day I bought my first Midget - a very long time ago - the water pump failed and leaked all the coolant out.

There is a seal inside the pump and when it fails, the water will leak out through a small hole in the underside of the pump 'nose'.

Fit a new pump, gasket and bypass hose and that's three less things to worry about for a few years.
Dave O'Neill 2

Agree with Dave, I had the same thing with my pump
K Harris

Replacing the water pump was the first repair I made on my Midget, 7 years ago.
I just ordered a pump, gasket and small hose. I'll be on the road Thursday!!
I'm surprised that the Stop Leak worked so well. It saved me a several hundred dollar situation, sice I was 150 miles from home.
Phil
Phil

This thread was discussed between 05/04/2009 and 06/04/2009

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