I've got a large leak that is coming from the water pump area just above the opti. It's a steady stream even with the engine off. I can't see the exact spot, but it leaks down over the passenger side plug wires. I can't see any hoses up there, they are below that. Am I going to have to replace the whole water pump, or is there a plug there that has a tendency to go and can be replaced? I guess I'm just hoping against hope that it will be something small and cheap. (Not even thinking about possible opti damage.) Thanks.

 

Get a rebuilt water pump from AZ or someplace similar and replace yours.

 

You need a noew water pump.. the shaft seal has probably gone out and the leak is from the weep hole. Your opti will be fine...

 

Yea go this route...alot cheaper and serves it purpose just as good!!!

 

If you get a Bosch pump for your local autostore, make sure the wp shaft freely turns by hand. There's probably still some defective ones on the shelf that have very tight bearings that have contributed to wp cam gear filures.
I had one that you couldn't turn it all and I had them go back and try another one on the shelf and the second one was a good one.

 

4 replies in 41 minutes??? Great site and very helpful people. Just like I remember it. I haven't been around for a while, but I guess some things never change. Thanks.

 

Does that come with a money back guarantee?

 

yeah, i had one of those. the thing ran great for about 1000 miles, then one day i just see the temp gauge fly right into the the 260 range, i shut her down, and open the hood to inspect it. there was just radiator fluid everywhere. turns out the wp just died. i got another brand put in and its been about 1000 miles or so since then, runs good. opti isnt dead yet (knocks on wood).

 

I've not had the misfortune of changing the wp before. How long should I expect it to take? 2 hours? 3, 4?

 

Its not really that hard. Maybe 2-3 hours if you know what your doing.

 

It seems I DON'T know what I'm doing.
I'm trying to replace it right now. I'm running into a problem, though. I've removed four bolts. 2 equal length long ones, 1 about 3 or 4 inches, and one about 2 inches. Haynes says whack it to break the gasket seal if it doesn't come off. I've used a piece of wood and a deadblow hammer on it. The gasket seal appears to be broken, but it still won't come off. I've got maybe 1/8 inch gap on the passenger side and a barely visible gap on the driver side. I don't want to continue pounding on it if I've missed something. Any ideas?

 

There are six bolts. Four short and two long. Some of them are a little hard to see.

 

Yeah, the one on the bottom passenger side you may have to pull the belt tensioner back/down a little to see it from under the front under the car.
Also, it should pull straight off cause remember there is a shaft coming out of the timing cover that drives it and it only slips straight on.

There is a lower bolt on the driver and its easy to see if the AIR pump is removed...mines been gone for years so I forgot how that one was hidden too.