Not counting massive rust or corrosion issues, water pump replacement
should be about a 3 hour job. This includes filling and bleeding the
cooling system.

 A leak at the crossover pipe is usually a bad gasket, bent flange or
cracked or rusted-pitted pipe. The proper way to get it out of the way to
replace the pump is to loosen the clamps on the connection hose so the
pipe can be turned down slightly. The flange on the other side can also be
loosened allowing both sides of the pipe to fall. After the pump is out,
the pipe can be separated from the hose and the pipe pulled put from
behind the pulley with out removing the pulley. Yes it is tight and you
will need to position so it clears the pulley. At this point replace that
hose.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Thomas Pfrommer
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 5:59 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Water pump?

Hi,
after not driving my van for about 3 weeks I notice a small drip of
coolant (about half a liter for 500km -tendency more and more) from the
screw that holds the cooling pipe from the water pump to the opposite
cylinder head. I am talking about the lower screw at the water pump
side. I took the V-belt of and gave it about 1/8 turn more and will see
if this helps. But I think in the end something is wrong here. The
gasket seems not dripping, it rather seems that it leaks through the
screw hole. Does this mean I have to replace the hole water pump? Did
anyone have the same experience?
What would be the best steps to first drain the coolant and then replace
the pump?
I fear I have to first get the exhaust off? Also because the stupid
water pipe between the cylinder heads is behind the pulley I have to
open this as well?
Hm this seems like more than a day of work just to get to the water
pump. Or perhaps I leave this pipe behind the pulley in place and
replace the pump like that?
Any help is appreciated
Thanks a lot
Thomas