The weep hole is there to tell you when the mechanical seal in the pump
shaft is starting to fail.  Yours appears to be defective since it is
leaking at such a young age.  It is no indication of head gasket problems.
They are unrelated.
TEMiller
----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward Morrell" <Edward_Morrell@PEOPLESOFT.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, March 08, 2004 1:01 AM
Subject: Water Pump Weep Hole advice needed

> The archives say that a dripping water pump weep hole is a potential early
> sign of head gasket or other head problems causing excessive pressure in
> the cooling system.  My saga is a bit of a twist.  I replaced the heads on
> my '90 Carat with 125K miles with rebuilt AMC's including new valves,
> guides, seals, and of course, gaskets.  I have owned the van for 60K
miles,
> and the motor is now quieter and stronger than ever.  When I did the
heads,
> I replace the water pump.  No particular reason, other than it may have
bee
> the original.  I have driven about 8K miles since the work, and there is
> now a steady drip from the weep hole on the water pump when the van is
> running, probably about 30 drips per minute frequency.  I started digging
> down to the water pump for potential replacement, and what I discovered is
> that coolant drips from the weep hold when I turn the pulley on the pump
by
> hand!  It does not drip when stationary.
>
> My question is, does this sound like a defective pump?  When the weep hole
> starts to leak, should one expect it will do so even with hand spinning of
> the pulley?  Has anyone else had a brand new water pump do this?
>
> I am sure I have to get a new pump, but if I really need to start thinking
> about pulling one or both the heads, I want to make sure that is the right
> approach before I give away another weekend!
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Ed Morrell
> 90 Carat 133K
> 91 Carat 52K
> and more......
>