Water Pump Cover Leak

[Tortoise]

After winter lay up started the bird and noticed a slight oil leak around the bottom of the water pump. Upon closer inspection it seems to be coming from the bottom of the water pump cover and not from the drain hole. My question is should this be oil? and would a new o ring for the cover solve the leak. Can I do this without removing the pump. Cheers for any advice.

 

[andyBeaker]

As nobody has answered -
Are You sure it is oil ? Can't see it myself but maybe someone with more knowledge will come Along with a better answer.

I had the top hose going into the water pump develop a tiny leak where a jubilee clip from another hose was rubbing against it -mMight be worth checking.

 

[CBRDEAN0]

I wonder if the "oil" is perhaps chain lube that has escaped passed the sprocket cover.

 

[bishbosh]

Well, it could be oil and dirt built up on the large hose pipe and LHS foam behind the panel and then with a bit of coolant seeped out of the rad, runs down and pools underneath looking like oil.

Take the side panels off, clean everything up, dry it then run the bike until the fan has kicked in a few times.

Chances are it's coolant and just jubilee clips need replacing.

 

[Tortoise]

Thanks for the replies boys, cleaned everything up ran it until fan kicked in, checked again and still what looks like brown oil rather than blue coolant I have in system around bottom of cover. Will wait for better weather then go for a ride and hope it sorts itself out; definitely don't want to pay for a new pump.

 

[noobie]

Have you checked the colour of your coolant by lifting the rad cap off and having a look?

I only ask because I wonder it the rad is overheating and spitting out rusty sludge water from the rad trough the overflow pipe to wear the water pump is??

when was the last time you flushed the rad through and completely replaced the coolant rather than just top it up?

 

[Tortoise]

Noobie last changed coolant 2 years ago, planned on doing it again next winter. Rad not overheating not losing coolant. The fluid oil or coolant just appears along the bottom edge of the pump cover definitely not running down from above. If coolant and not oil does it still mean a new pump.

 

[CBRDEAN0]

Noobie last changed coolant 2 years ago, planned on doing it again next winter. Rad not overheating not losing coolant. The fluid oil or coolant just appears along the bottom edge of the pump cover definitely not running down from above. If coolant and not oil does it still mean a new pump.

You can get a seal for the cover - see item 10 in this diagram

http://www.bike-parts-honda.com/pie...V-1997-E__1000-CBR+1100+SUPER+BLACKBIRD+.html

 

[Tortoise]

Thanks cbr deano. Will have to take the pump off and check it out and hopefully only have to buy a couple of oil seals and some new coolant, will let you know the outcome when completed.

 

[CBRDEAN0]

Thanks cbr deano. Will have to take the pump off and check it out and hopefully only have to buy a couple of oil seals and some new coolant, will let you know the outcome when completed.

For the cost of the three seals ( parts 10, 35 & 37 ) it would be worth doing the seals first before buying a pump.

 

[AndyBxx]

I heard that coolant that contains silicate can damage the seals on the water pump shaft and can cause pump failure?

 

[Tortoise]

Silkolene Pro Cool used last change which contains no silicates.

 

[Fireblade92]

Hi Tortoise,

I had a similar(ish) issue earlier this year and finally resolved it by replacing the Water Pump seals (only a few quid). Have a read of the thread below and see if anything resonates with you in the way the problem is described/resolved.

http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?p=782103&posted=1#post782103

Good luck @tu*

 

[Tortoise]

Well. Fireblade, finally got the seals and replaced them.All seems ok now.It must have been the front cover o ring which had perished and was leaking coolant along the bottom edge of the pump.Although looking at it originally I would have swore it was oil .Like you said a big difference between a few quid for o rings and the price of a new pump.Many thanks to everyone for all their input, what a great bunch of guys.