[brianXterra2004]

2004 Xt, 127k miles

About 3 years ago I did the full water pump/thermostat/timing belt and cam/crankshaft seals overhaul when my thermostat went bad.

http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2751&highlight=thermostat+water+pump+timing+belt

It was a step up for me compared to anything I had done before but the How To was good and it all seemed to work out. I did notice that when left idling for too long it would overheat but never enough to bring up the fault code. Recently it started overheating that way every time I idled and I started smelling a small amount of what I think is burning coolant. Since then I located I tiny drip of coolant below/behind the crankshaft (circled in picture.) I finally decided to pull the belts and their brackets to get a look and saw that there was buildup around the thermostat housing and some liquid dripping down to where I found the leak. I should have pulled the timing belt cover for a look while I was in there but I didn't. I just went ahead and pulled the thermostat housing and sure enough it looked like I had done a crap job on the silicone gasket. Got it all back together with a new housing and the Xt is still leaking, only now it doesn't cool down when I'm moving.

My next guess is the paper gasket behind the water pump.

Anybody got a better guess?

 

[Rick Hunter]

I'm not an expert by any means but did you made sure to put the thermostat in the correct position with the bleeder valve of it facing the top?

 

[brianXterra2004]

I thought about that. I'm going to have to pull everything back out anyway so I might as well check.

 

[Rick Hunter]

Be sure to air bleed the cooling system too otherwise similar symptoms may appear (I've been there before).

 

[JoeS03xterra]

I hate to hijack this thread but im having kind of the same problem. I also just did a water pump, timing belt, thermostat, tensioner pulley, and gaskets on my 03 with 160k. Coolant was leaking bad, it over heated once before leaking badly and thats when I decided to replace everything along with the radiator which had a small crack. So I got it all back together last night, it ran perfectly. Took it for a drive, no overheating, no visible leaks.

This morning after warming up it started leaking from behind the balancer. Again this afternoon it did the same but only after beginning to warm up but not reaching operating temp. Yes, I air bled the cooling system with the screw on the intake.

Stripped it all back down since I felt like a damn pro at it now, and it looks to be leaking from the pee hole on the bottom side of the water pump pulley. Dry above and wet below on the outer side of the lower timing belt cover, everything under the cover is dry.

Is this just a sign of a bad water pump? This is our beater vehicle so I just bought a cheap dayco kit off rock auto.

 

[C23rd]

^sounds like a defective waterpump

 

[JoeS03xterra]

^sounds like a defective waterpump

Any recommendations on a good brand? Rockauto is all over the place on prices from $25-$99. The local autozone wants $100 for a duralast one. Like I said its a beater but I really don't wanna strip this down again.

 

[C23rd]

Unfortunately its gonna have to be torn down again to remove the pump. As for a brand, Dayco isn't a bad brand. Stinks you got a defective one out of the box. I would try to contact rockauto for a replacement if it was done recently. These do have a limited warranty. So no additional money come out of your pocket, just time. But if you don't wanna be bothered,which i understand as well. I'd pick the Beck/Arnley from rockauto. The one from autozone might not be bad considering their warranty pretty good too. it would be in stock and pretty close to you. I'm not a big fan of ordering parts online if it is urgent cause of the wait. Sounds like it might not be too urgent. just my 2 cents.

 

[JoeS03xterra]

Unfortunately its gonna have to be torn down again to remove the pump. As for a brand, Dayco isn't a bad brand. Stinks you got a defective one out of the box. I would try to contact rockauto for a replacement if it was done recently. These do have a limited warranty. So no additional money come out of your pocket, just time. But if you don't wanna be bothered,which i understand as well. I'd pick the Beck/Arnley from rockauto. The one from autozone might not be bad considering their warranty pretty good too. it would be in stock and pretty close to you. I'm not a big fan of ordering parts online if it is urgent cause of the wait. Sounds like it might not be too urgent. just my 2 cents.

Its already all apart, and yeah its just a spare vehicle so I'll probably save the 40 bucks or so and order from rockauto

 

[C23rd]

Cool I hope it works out for ya!

 

[brianXterra2004]

I tore mine down this afternoon as well. There was crud and coolant all along the bottom of the water pump. I went ahead and got a replacement for it. I understand that some people don't use the gasket and just do the water pump like the thermostat housing with the permatex silicone. Anybody reading this that has tried it?

I'm with JoeS, I feel like a pro now but I don't want to do this again anytime soon.

 

[brianXterra2004]

liquid gasket

Has anybody used liquid gasket instead of the paper gasket they provide you with a new water pump? I've heard some people do and I'd like to know what you think.

 

[C23rd]

I tore mine down this afternoon as well. There was crud and coolant all along the bottom of the water pump. I went ahead and got a replacement for it. I understand that some people don't use the gasket and just do the water pump like the thermostat housing with the permatex silicone. Anybody reading this that has tried it?



I'm with JoeS, I feel like a pro now but I don't want to do this again anytime soon.

I would both, use prematex on pump and place gasket on it. Let it cure a little then install pump. This way don’t have worry about messing around with holding gasket. Never had a problem doing it that way.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[JoeS03xterra]

Has anybody used liquid gasket instead of the paper gasket they provide you with a new water pump? I've heard some people do and I'd like to know what you think.

Whenever I use a paper gasket, my dad always made me use indian head gasket shellac compound, its never failed me

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

 

[C23rd]

Whenever I use a paper gasket, my dad always made me use indian head gasket shellac compound, its never failed me

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

Agreed! Oh wow, I forgot about that stuff. I use to use that stuff all the time. Gonna have to look for it and get some.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[JoeS03xterra]

Agreed! Oh wow, I forgot about that stuff. I use to use that stuff all the time. Gonna have to look for it and get some.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Its just second nature now, the stuff is especially real nice for holding the gasket in place

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

 

[C23rd]

Its just second nature now, the stuff is especially real nice for holding the gasket in place

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

Yup!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Rick Hunter]

Agreed! Oh wow, I forgot about that stuff. I use to use that stuff all the time. Gonna have to look for it and get some.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Does this stuff fully substitutes any water RTV sealant? and I'm assuming this can also be used to hold install/seal coolant hoses?

 

[C23rd]

I’ve only used this stuff and rtv for gasket use. For coolant hoses I would use only clamps. Sometimes these hoses are a real pain to remove. I think using sealant would possibly make it harder to remove. Just my 2 cent.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rick Hunter]

I’ve only used this stuff and rtv for gasket use. For coolant hoses I would use only clamps. Sometimes these hoses are a real pain to remove. I think using sealant would possibly make it harder to remove. Just my 2 cent.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Absolutely! I know exactly what you are talking about, I've had more than my fair share of fighting to remove hoses. I've seen some brownish looking stuff when removing them and I was wondering if that's exactly what they were using as a sealer.