Water Pump? (2002 NB)

Our '02 with 78,000 miles smells like antifreeze.

I just went over the car and I am not finding any signs of leaks.... :confused:

I'm thinking it is the water pump I took the belt off and spun the water-pump and found no excessive play or any telltale signs it is leaking but since 90% of the water-pump is behind the plastic covers I still am thinking it is the culprit.

My local vato-zone didn't have a pressure tested available currently but I figure I'll pressure test the system to see if I can find where the smell is coming from. Is it a safe assumption that a seeping water-pump would leak while using the pressure tester??

May also run it up to the Fiat dealer and see what they will give us on trade towards an Abarth. ;)

Is the fluid level dropping?

Heater hoses? Can you smell it coming out of the A/C vents? Might be a heater core... in which case you're in for tons of fun! ;)

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Originally Posted by sammm

Is the fluid level dropping?

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Not that I have noticed. The problem just started the other day. But I am now watching the level of the coolant reservoir.

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Originally Posted by trickyrix

Heater hoses? Can you smell it coming out of the A/C vents? Might be a heater core... in which case you're in for tons of fun! ;)

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More stank under the hood haven't noticed the antifreeze smell in the car.

Have you replaced the radiator cap lately? I guess a pressure test is the right thing to do.

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Originally Posted by sammm

Have you replaced the radiator cap lately? I guess a pressure test is the right thing to do.

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Nope pretty much everything is on it just they way Yoshi bolted it together back in Nagasaki. I've only had to replace a few sensors on it over the years.

Figure I'll check Vato-Zone again in the AM so I can run a pressure test on it and figure out what is leaking.

**Actually the cap is relatively new put it in fall of last year.

I've been spraying antifreeze fragrance under your hood while you aren't watching.

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Originally Posted by slowchildmiata

I've been spraying antifreeze fragrance under your hood while you aren't watching.

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::Rant::

Do NB's have that tiny coolant hose under the intake manifold like NA's? Way back when I had a Miata, that hose sprung a pinhole leak and mystified me for a month before it was big enough to leak anything more than vapor.

Yup. The oil cooler lines are on all 1.8. A pressure test should find the weak spot. Or you could always roll the engine in flour and look for the wet spot. ::Rimshot:

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Originally Posted by slowchildmiata

I've been spraying antifreeze fragrance under your hood while you aren't watching.

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So I got a pressure tester and it has been on the car for about 30 minutes and so far no leaks at 16psi/1.1 bar. :confused:

I think slowchildmiata may be the cause of the problem! ::Rant::

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c...2011.58.26.jpg

So, just to point out the obvious... there doesn't appear to be a radiator cap attached during that procedure... Have you bought a new one yet? That used to be step 1...

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Originally Posted by sammm

Have you replaced the radiator cap lately?

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

So, just to point out the obvious... there doesn't appear to be a radiator cap attached during that procedure... Have you bought a new one yet? That used to be step 1...

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+1

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

So, just to point out the obvious... there doesn't appear to be a radiator cap attached during that procedure... Have you bought a new one yet? That used to be step 1...

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Originally Posted by sammm

+1

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Actually the cap is relatively new put it in late fall of last year - but I do have another new one I'll put on it today.

1:32pm and still holding pressure.

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

Actually the cap is relatively new put it in late fall of last year - but I do have another new one I'll put on it today.

1:32pm and still holding pressure.

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Probably a defective cap.

So I replaced the cap pressure washed the engine compartment then drove it up to Vato-Zone to return the pressure tester and when I got home it smells like antifreeze.... :punchout:

Maybe your local stray cats have been drinking it up and peeing it out under the hood.

Could be some strain of crazy antifreeze-resistant tabby cats trying to prove a point. Just sayin...

http://i43.tinypic.com/qx7yub.jpg

Would the pressure test have been able to test the entire system if the thermostat is closed?

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

Would the pressure test have been able to test the entire system if the thermostat is closed?

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Yes.

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

I think slowchildmiata may be the cause of the problem! ::Rant::

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The forthcoming youtube video is epic.