Water pump question on 03 450??

[MxHuggy]

Noticed some coolant dripping out of the small hole on the bottom of the water pump at the track yesterday. I had just started the bike so there was no overheating issue. Is my water pump going or is that little hole meant to drip a little??

Thanks

[John407]

I'm not sure but I think it indicates that a seal has started to leak.

[Maynard]

My friends 03 did the same thing about a month ago, and its still going strong ?

[Doug_Caldwell]

It is the water pump seal. You really should change the seal before things go too far. There are two almost identical seals behind the water pump cover. One holds oil back and the other holds antifreeze back. The little hole that you are talking about is the first indication of a failed seal. Fix it soon or you will wish that you had when the oil becomes antifreeze contaminated.

Also do a search on the topic before you post. Most times you will find your answer.

[Ga426owner]

I 2nd that - if it is leaking fix it - or replace with Boysen complete water pump -

[grayracer513]

There are two almost identical seals behind the water pump cover. One holds oil back and the other holds antifreeze back. The little hole that you are talking about is the first indication of a failed seal.

This hole is a drain to release fluid leaking from either of the two seals into an air gap between them. You could just as easily see oil dripping from it if the w/pump shaft oil seal were to fail.

Fix it soon or you will wish that you had when the oil becomes antifreeze contaminated.

The air gap and drain I just mentioned exists expressly to avoid this problem. Oil contamination with coolant can't happen as a result of the w/pump coolant seal failing unless the drain hole you are seeing coolant drip from is so well blocked that pressure could build up between the two seals, which is way beyond unlikely.

Just the same, your engine holds less than 1 1/2 quarts of coolant. If you have a leak like this, it can be gone be gone faster than you think. Fix it.

[MxHuggy]

Thanks for the help boys, a new seal has already been ordered! ?

[grayracer513]

Put in both seals while you have the shaft out, and check the shaft for a groove worn in by the seal. If it's too deep, it should be replaced, because the groove will prevent the lip of the new seal from seating on the shaft properly.

[Indy_WR450]

I ride a lot on my WR450 and I have replaced the seals (oil and coolant) and the impellar shaft each time. The coolant seal wears a groove in the shaft that cant be fixed. Issue is that the seal or shaft should have a teflon coating to increase life. I am on my 4th set. I ride every weekend and I get about 6 months out of a replacement set. ?

[MxHuggy]

I ride a lot on my WR450 and I have replaced the seals (oil and coolant) and the impellar shaft each time. The coolant seal wears a groove in the shaft that cant be fixed. Issue is that the seal or shaft should have a teflon coating to increase life. I am on my 4th set. I ride every weekend and I get about 6 months out of a replacement set. ?

Looks like I need to order more parts. Do you have the part # for the impeller shaft??

Thanks