Once the pump starts leaking, failure is near. The antifreeze getting
past the seal will quickly destroy the bearings. Once the bearings fail,
there will be massive coolant loss and the impeller will eat into the
volute on the case. Keep in mind that any sudden coolant loss with a hot
engine under load can result in gasket and o-ring failure and the sudden
temperature changes can cause head and case damage along with stressing
the head studs.

If you must drive it, monitor it carefully and listen to any signs of
bearing noise. Leave the AC and stereo off so you can hear it. A water
pump is really not a major repair.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Mark Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2003 4:51 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Drippy Water Pump...

My 1989 Vanagon Carat (170,000 miles) has started dripping a very small
(as
in 1 or 2 drops overnight, no significant drop in coolant level yet)
amount
of coolant from what appears to be the waterpump... the drops collect at
oil
filter housing...  I've been told by my mechanic that I have a "slight"
head
leak on the drivers side and  that I need a new water pump and that I
should
either put a rebuilt engine in the van or sell it  "soon"... my question
is
this ... how likely is it that my water pump will fail in the next 3
weeks
(when i'll be able to pay for a new one) and is there anything I can do
to
prolong it's life?... the van is our sole transport and is driven about
50
miles a day...   thanks in advance