Coolant leak 02 sxr 600

abumpa

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Jackson Michigan
Having some trouble figuring out a coolant leak on my 02 sxr 600. Getting a small drip when the engine is warm from the lower portion of the water pump housing. Figured I had this one nailed and changed the cover O-ring (gasket).

You guessed it...still leaks exactly as before. After idling about 10 minutes the leak appears in the area shown in the photo. While this is the lowest portion of the engine I cannot see anywhere higher the coolant could be coming from. When I use a mirror it seems a drip forms in the area where the cover and the block meet.

Looking for guidance here. Anyone else have this problem. I am going to remove the cover again tomorrow and see if I missed anything.

Thanks

DSC00192.jpg
 
Thanks...I have been reading about similar problems however I am unable to see a weep hole anywhere on the pump housing even the underside. Can someone tell me where this weep hole is?

Looking at the diagram I need to ask another question. If the water pump shaft and seal are the suspects than the coolant is leaking back into the case (block) rather than out of the water pump cover. Is that correct?

And if that is correct than the weep hole is somewhere on the case (block)?
 
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on my 700 red head, the weep hole is on the block, just slightly back from the gasket mating surface, beneath the pump... if I remember correctly, I needed a mirror to find it...

for coolant to get into the case, it would have to leak past the mechanical seal and/or shaft splines AND oil seal too...


how quickly are you losing coolant?... tj
 
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Thanks TJ500. I am going to take it apart again tomorrow. I had not considered the coolant running along the shaft into the case as the problem.

I just assumed the cover gasket (o-ring)was the culprit.
 
not the same motor but same problem it was the washer seal on the impeller that being bad coolent goes in and right by mechenical seal and is stoped by oil seal and goes out weep hole
 
Took it apart today. Was a snap removing the impeller after the hood, pipe, exhaust manifold, right side motor mount, and water pump housing are removed. Was a bit surprised to see the mechanical seal is secured into the backside of the impeller. Not sure though where I expected it to be.

Ordered the new seal and washer from my dealer. He says it will take a week to get them. I need to find an on line parts supplier who doesn't charge 15 bucks or more to ship stuff that should cost 5.
 
abumpa said:
Was a bit surprised to see the mechanical seal is secured into the backside of the impeller. Not sure though where I expected it to be.

that's only half the mechanical seal... the other half is jammed and sealed into the block... the two ceramic mating surfaces (machined) ride on each other and seal the coolant from entering and getting at the shaft...

was your impellor loose on the shaft splines? tj
 
This is what it looks like.

The backside of the impeller with what I assume is the mechanical seal.

DSC00195.jpg



The stuff left in the block after the impeller is removed. The round seal (dark oval object) seems to be spring loaded. Of course this doesn't look like any of the drawings. I wonder what I will get when I ordered the mechanical seal.

DSC00194.jpg
 
Update...

Just got back from the dealer 15 miles away (I don't do business with the one 3 miles away). This is the place I ordered the seal from. I like this place. One of the mechanics came out to the parts counter and explained the fix. He said he has fixed a bunch with a new washer for the impeller bolt and some loctite in a couple of strategic areas.

Followed his advice (they had the washer in stock, and were happy to cancel the order for the seal) and put the impeller on as instructed. Guy said to leave it 24 hours before putting any coolant in it.

To be continued....
 
I think we got it!


Put it together and let it idle this morning for a good 15 minutes and no leak. Seems to be OK.

Thanks to TJ500 and no1chevyboy for all the help!!!!
 
abumpa said:
Update...

Just got back from the dealer 15 miles away (I don't do business with the one 3 miles away). This is the place I ordered the seal from. I like this place. One of the mechanics came out to the parts counter and explained the fix. He said he has fixed a bunch with a new washer for the impeller bolt and some loctite in a couple of strategic areas.

Followed his advice (they had the washer in stock, and were happy to cancel the order for the seal) and put the impeller on as instructed. Guy said to leave it 24 hours before putting any coolant in it.

To be continued....

I have replaced the seal, and washer twice and mine still leaks the same way yours did. Where did he tell you to put the loctite? Any other tips he gave you???
 
not sure why he wouldn't be specific in his post where he was told to put the locktite????? but, this thread/links contains the answer to your question...

in some cases (when mechanical seal is not damaged), coolant can leak past the shaft/impellor washer (washer under the bolt) and along the splines of the shaft into the inside (dry side) of the mechanical seal... this then finds it's way further into the pump housing where it leaks out the weep hole...

the cause of this?

SLINES WEAR SLIGHTLY AND CREATE A SLIGHT WOBBLE OF THE IMPELLOR ON THE SHAFT... tj
 
TJ500 said:
not sure why he wouldn't be specific in his post where he was told to put the locktite????? but, this thread/links contains the answer to your question...

in some cases (when mechanical seal is not damaged), coolant can leak past the shaft/impellor washer (washer under the bolt) and along the splines of the shaft into the inside (dry side) of the mechanical seal... this then finds it's way further into the pump housing where it leaks out the weep hole...

the cause of this?

SLINES WEAR SLIGHTLY AND CREATE A SLIGHT WOBBLE OF THE IMPELLOR ON THE SHAFT... tj


The link on the first page of this thread, is to my thread on my sled.

I never seen your reply to it, till now. I will have to replace the shaft/impellor. Or try the loctite. Thanks!!!!
 
glad it worked for you abumpa, hay 700mm check for burrs on impeller and end of shaft were rubber coated washer seals, may be there from wear,i had burr on shaft,and check that seals are seated square and flat with new seal and washer in place how much wooble is there in impeller should not be allot very little to none, and make sure rubber is not loose on washer
 
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Sorry I was not trying to hide anything.

The sealer goes on the shaft splines, both sides of the new washer, and the thread of the impeller bolt.

Wait 24 hours before putting coolant in. I waited almost 48 hours before reinstalling the pump housing. Wanted to be sure it dried good.

I used blue loctite.
 


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