Pluging the weep hole?

[Carlos A]

I installed a new electric water pump DAVIES CRAIG with an electronic controlle. The front cover is leaking but not from the water pump housing as I thought. It is leaking from a small hole under the pulley. Initially I thought it was a hole produced by corrosion. I cleaned the cover and it turned to a perfectly round hole 2 mm (aprox.).

QUESTIONS:

1. Is this the weep hole? How does that hole look?
2. Can I plug it? (Remember I have an electric water pump installed)
3. If so What is the best way to plug the freaking hole?

Thank you very much for your help.

Best

Carlos

[types26/36]

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QUESTIONS:
1. Is this the weep hole? How does that hole look?
2. Can I plug it? (Remember I have an electric water pump installed)Carlos

As I understand it the weep hole is there because if the seal has a small "weep" then the coolant "theoretically" by-passes the bearing without damaging it, not sure what would be the consequences of plugging the hole when the bearing is not been used, I suppose it would last until the bearing rusted away?

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Hi,

that hole is very important because it permits a minute flow of coolant across the dynamic seal in the water pump.
The small flow is necessary to cool / lubricate that seal.
It could be blanked off only if the water pump is not being driven.

Cheers
John

[Carlos A]

Brian and John: thanks a lot. Yes I am using an electric pump. Any adverse consecuense of pluging the hole? Best, Carlos

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Brian and John: thanks. Yes I am tuning an electric pump. Any adverse consecuense of pluging the hole?

When that hole is closed (plugged) the drive to the water pump shaft must be deleted.
= Auxiliary drive belt drives only the Dynamo / Alternator
The shaft must not even be used to drive a water pump mounted fan, if fitted.
Without that minute flow of coolant across the dynamic seal (Carbon / Ceramic seal) will burn out very quickly.
The result of that would be coolant entering the bearing, causing a bearing failure & large coolant leak.

Cheers
John

[Carlos A]

John:
The pulley is deleted. the mechanical water pump is not in use. Are you refering to this specific scenario?
Thanks again, carlos

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

John:
The pulley is deleted. the mechanical water pump is not in use. Are you refering to this specific scenario?
Thanks again, carlos

Yes

[Carlos A]

Thanks to all of you for your answers. Last question: the idea of plugging the weep hole is to stop a leak. One the hole is pluged, would the leak find its way to the front of the water pump? Thanks again

Carlos

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Thanks to all of you for your answers. Last question: the idea of plugging the weep hole is to stop a leak. One the hole is pluged, would the leak find its way to the front of the water pump? Thanks again

Carlos

If you beliieve in "Murphy's Law" yes it will

[rgh0]

Carlos

I presume you have left the orginal pumpshaft and seal in place and just removed the belt drive and pulley and that you are only driving the altenator direct of the crank pulley.

If you plug the weep hole the seal will continue to leak and it will pressure up the cavity between the seal and the pump shaft bearing. This will force the coolant through the bearing and out the other side. So the leak will reappear very quickly just via another route.

3 options I can think of

1. Remove the front cover and permanently plug the pump so no leakage - best permannent fix
2. Inject sealant into the pump via the hole - e.g. tap the drain hole, fit a grease nipple and pump in silicone sealant and you should fill the cavity between the pump bearing and the pump seal. If done well this will last until you next dismantle the front cover. Need to be careful you dont pump into to much and it goes past the seal and blocks the water passage.
3. Plug the drain hole and make up some sort of cover to seal the front face of the pump where the bearing comes out also - e.g. Cut of the shaft flush with the aluminum cover and glue / clamp some sort of seal in place, maybe a short piece of suitable hose with a plug in its end can be fitted over the nose of the bearing housing in the front cover.

cheers
Rohan

[Carlos A]

Thanks to everybody. I did something very simple (and so far it has worked beautifully).

First, I cut the shaft then, very carefully, I drilled and threaded three small holes on the neck of the front plate housing; the holes do not have to be very deep. I drilled the holes at 6, between 9 and 10 and between 2 and 3 o?clock (none on the top).

I cleaned the area very well, put a bit of silicone inside (to close the small gap between the shaft-bearing and the wall) I let it dry, and then I closed the front with a round plate and a gasket (with silicone) using brass screws and washers.

Then, I cleaned the top hole thoroughly and plugged it. I used an industrial epoxy (I did not remove the clip). Voila! Fixed