Hey guys,

I have a few questions. Tonight I noticed a nice coolant puddle under the passenger side of my car. '86 GT 4 speed. I tried to get a look at where the coolant is coming from and I think its the water pump. I have the car booked for a safety inspection tomorrow and i'm just wondering how long the pump will likely hold out? Is it safe to drive it to the shop or should I skip the inspection and fix the pump first? Anyone want to chime in on what it might cost me to have the shop change it?

Also, does anyone know anything about Fenwick water pumps for the 2.8? I can get one here for a decent price, so I just wanted to see if anyone knew anything about them. Like whether they are metal impellers or not.

Water pumps can fail at any moment!!!! Change it as soon as possible!!!! Did you check the coolat hose and pipe there? Could be a bad hose or loose clamp. Its not to bad change out the pump. Make sure you buy a good pump. Its not something you want to change out more the once. Good luck!!!

Grab the pulley and try to wiggle it if you can. Water pumps have a weep hole built in to weep coolant once the bearings wear out.

quote Originally posted by pete 2m4: Water pumps can fail at any moment!!!! Change it as soon as possible!!!! Did you check the coolat hose and pipe there? Could be a bad hose or loose clamp. Its not to bad change out the pump. Make sure you buy a good pump. Its not something you want to change out more the once. Good luck!!!

+1 check your hose as well. a simple crack from its age will leak. water pumps always go out in almost every car. so its normal and not to $. but if let go and it fails it may cost you more then the car is worth.
bad: drive it till she goes and pull over right then and get it towed
worse: drive it till she does bad and pull off at the next exit may cause major over heating in the motor and toast it.

The water pump is not that hard to change. I changed mine in under and hour. If you can not figure it out get a pressure tester pump it up to about 15 or 20 lbs and find the leak. If you do buy a new pump MAKE SURE THE IMPELLAR IS METAL OR STEEL NOT PLASTIC.