Coolant struggles!

[mak]

Hi,

Just had waterpump replaced on my FHC and both pumps fitted leak.

Did a bit of a search on this and seems that some leak for a while anyway.

Anyone any experience of this? The pumps were recon pumps by Fitchetts (who apparently supply S&S and Robsport)

On the original pump (fitted about 20k miles ago and brand new then) the o rings had black silicone on them. I am guessing this was just to act as a lubricant not to solve a leak and the most likely leak is from the internal seal into the brass cage?

Bit frustrated as wanted to sell the old engine after fitting a sprint one. I don't want to sell someone a lemon or just get core value for it. Any help much appreciated!

[mak]

hmmm, may have just answered my own question.

Car developed large fuel leak - mechanic had left fuel pipe connected whilst working on waterpump - main fuel feed from pump was torn. Glad I don't smoke. Also scratches to otherwise perfect carb dash pots and chips to cam cover paint.

Given care taken elsewhere, I presume that mechanic over tightened pump. Think may be easier to do the job myself... ... it's all good....(I think.)

[FI Spyder]

Any time I install rubber seals or O rings I lubricate the with red rubber grease, little packets often come with clutch and brake rebuild kits but can be purchased separately. This helps them slide in without abrasion as well as helps seal until the rubber conforms to the surface it is supposed to be sealing. Care must be taken when installing the water pump with the correct procedure used. Not every mechanic knows everything and just because one is a "mechanic" doesn't mean that he can do a particular job. When I was training at IBM back in the day there was a (young, we all were back then) mechanic who by all accounts was very good but failed the course because he couldn't adjust to the thousandths of an inch required on the office equipment of the day with the required touch of tightening without breaking. They put him on the manufacturing line (doing basically one job over and over) rather than let him go. These days they'd just let him go.

[mak]

I'm probably a bit harsh about the mechanic, it's all managing expectations - my expectations are Aston Martin cleanliness and methodicalness which maybe isn't realistic, reality is probably very different and they are under pressure to do a job in a certain time.

Anyway grumpiness aside, have stripped back the cooling system and undone everything ready to take the inlet manifold off to have a look. May get the car shipped over to a TR specialist to fit the new pump and get everything checked over.

(thanks for the tip about the rubber grease.)