Yes it can! They can also tend to leak from lack of use. Leaking pumps also
add the chance of the coolant contaminating the pump bearings. Sudden
bearing failure means a tow home and some creative epoxy or welding work to
repair the volute in the case from the damage the impeller does when it
turns into it. If the damage is bad enough you can end up with an engine
that overheats at idle or low speeds as it won't push enough coolant through
the radiator to get the fan to turn on. Especially automatics that also have
the ATF cooler as part of the radiator circuit.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Roy Nicholl
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2015 8:44 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Coolant leak - it was bound to happen

Yes ... I'm in denial about that one too ;-) ... would it leak if the engine
has not been running?

On 10-Jul-2015, at 21:42, Dennis Haynes wrote:

> Can also be water pump.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Roy Nicholl
> Sent: Friday, July 10, 2015 8:41 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Coolant leak - it was bound to happen
>
> All,
>
> I went out to shift the Hyena ('88 WBX Westy) this evening and found a
> small damp spot underneath. A closer look and I see small drips of coolant
coming
> of the rear of the engine (or the rear mount).   The van has not been
> running in 2+ weeks, and I do not recall the leak prior.
>
> I check the expansion tank and it was just at the "min" line.  I
> didn't have time to crawl underneath before dark this evening, but
> where the van has not been running, I'm hoping for a loose or cracked
> hose at the rear of the engine (AFAIK, the hoses are all original) and
> not the gaskets on the jacket.
>
> An suggestions or bets?   As long as it's not the water jacket, I'll be
> happy.
>
> Roy