So I was doing the opti today and it got me thinking. I really don't like the position of the weep hole right above the opti.

Idea 1: Why can't we just block the port (put some cement in there and close the hole)?

Idea 2: If idea 1 is unnacomplishable for some reason, why not drill and tap the weep hole, install a fitting, and run a small tube to the bottom of the engine bay, so when the waterpump dies, it doesn't take the opti with it?


Ideas? suggestion?

 

I like suggestion number 2 myself.

 

I'm about to pick up a 95 T/A and the water pump was pretty much shot in it. When I got back from taking it for a test drive it was spilling a little coolant out thru the weep hole, is this normal on a f'ed pump? Do i need to worry about the opti now? I believe the 95s are vented. Would you buy a car that had a bad waterpump but the guy was replacing it?

 

i drove my car with a leaking weep for a week maybe 2 before i replaced and i was fine (unvented)

 

Tapping the hole and running a tube away from the opti has been done by numerous people. I would not close the hole.

My wp actually leaked for several thousand miles (off and on) and it did not hurt my opti.

 

Shoebox, any idea how big you can safely drill and tap the hole and what they used for a fitting?

 

I wonder if you could just epoxy or JB weld a fitting in the weep hole.
Ron

 

My dad mentioned this idea to me when I bought my car, but I was really worried about metal shavings getting in the water pump when I drilled it and then getting in the bearing and causing the water pump to go bad prematurely. I dont know if this is a big concern or not, but a risk I wasnt willing to take. I agree that it is a great idea and would like to hear from someone who has done it.

 

I never saw any pics or details of what exactly was done, just posts over the years of some people that did it.

 

Ive heard other wise. People have tried it and it hit the balancer i think so they had to remove it.

 

Yup it's normal for the pump to leak water out of the weep hole when it's going bad. It's basically just a little tell tale sign the pump is going bad. Water pump's on these cars are kinda notorious for going out anyway so I wouldn't have too much cause for concern. It all depends on the mileage. If he's fixing it before the sale it shouldn't be a big deal.

 

The car has 110k miles on it. I took it for a drive with the bad pump. It still pulled and sounded nice. The temp didn't get too high either, around 210*. There was no rough idle, or coolant in the oil, so I think its good to go. And yes he is changing the pump before I pick it up. Think I'm getting a deal? I'm going to have my mechanic just check it over just to make sure shes running good. Compression test couldn't hurt either.

 

Get your mechanic to do all the necessary checks before you buy it. If everything checks out ok then go for it if you think it's a good price.

 

when i bought my car the wp was leaking but it had seemed as if it had just started...he replaced the wp for me and so far the opti is ok (6 months later)...so just replace the water pump and hopefully the opti will still be ok...if not try and get a few hundred out of him for the opti

 

Well, when I bought my car it had holes in the heads Previous owner blew a head gasket and kept on and on driving it, instead of just blowing the gasket, it eventually wore a groove in the head where the typical blow-by would pass through. Anyways, got an insane deal on it, considering the blower and other engine mods so I wasn't too mad, and its turned out to be a good car

Carson