Advice needed!

[Rich Halifax]

Hello All. I'm a new member and owned my Stag for about 9 months. After fettling with her for the last 6 months I've now had her on the road for a few weeks. She runs quite well but I have noticed that ther is some water in the 'Vee'. It seems to be running back towards the distributor and whilst it isn't lots of water, it forms a very small pool. I've not really noticed a drop in the coolant level and the water only comes when engine is running. I dry it out and it stays dry until she is fired up. Would this be a water pump problem as I thought that if it was the head gasket it would leak continually. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[len]

hi
this is a common stag water leak, almost definitely from the water pump. with use sometimes it stops. Umless its a lot i wouldnt worry about it. I have 2 stags one leaks and the other doesnt ! ....i do plan om fixing the leaky one this winter. i wouldnt think your problem is a head gasket problem
Len

[Rich Halifax]

Thanks for reply Len, do you think I could use K Seal to stop leak ?

[len]

personally i wouldnt ......i think there is only one way to fix it and in my opinion thats a water pump rebuild...are you a handy fellar ? all the bits are available for a pump rebuild from LD parts and others and £100 easily does it .
there is a rimmer bros video showing a water pump removal i think its in the technical section.
len

[Seaking]

I have a bit of k seal still running around in my coolant it will do no harm give it a try a least for the rest of the summer
the seals do get better with use they seem to dry out. A bit like a wooden boat sometimes the boat needs to be immersed for a while so the wood can swell to seal the leaks.

Cheers Glenn

[flying farmer]

K seal (or any other sealant) is useless for water pump leaks as it can't seal moving parts.

However, if your Stag has been unused for a while, regular use often fixes the problem as the impeller beds into the graphite seal.

My Stag engine Estate has had a leaky pump for about 5 years, ever since I rebuilt it, but has slowed from horrendous to barely noticeable these days.

Neil

[LAMBRETTLAD]

I've just used K seal to cure my water pump leak on my MGBGT ,I'm very pleased not to have to rebuild just yet

[Guest]

I've just used K seal to cure my water pump leak on my MGBGT ,I'm very pleased not to have to rebuild just yet

Pits real easy to change a water pump on an MGB, I think I paid £25 for a new one?

[milothedog]

Have to agree with Neil, any stop leak / sealant product isn't going to stop a water pump leaking if the seal to atmosphere on the moving parts is the problem.

The reason manufacturers have a "weep hole" on water pumps is to alert you to the fact the seal has failed.

[Rich Halifax]

Thanks guys for your advice. Pump rebuild methinks!! How awkward is it to do?

[KOY 23]

Not too difficult but inlet manifold has to come off and can be a pain to get back on. Rebuild your pump and don't get one off the bay as there are some chocolate ones out there. I would keep running it as it may well cure itself. Much more fun to fix it by driving than spannering.

[martinstag]

Thanks guys for your advice. Pump rebuild methinks!! How awkward is it to do?

Don't be in too much of a hurry to blame the water pump unless you are certain. My water in the vee was a leaking thermostat housing gasket. A cheap part but it was a pig to remove the retaining bolts. One of them had seized to the housing and into the inlet manifold.

[DJT]

Could also be something as simple as a hose clip needing a 'nip up'. The u-shaped hoses are favourite for this.

[LD334]

I put a small amount of florescene in the coolant, this makes everything GREEN and I found the leak at the inlet manifold between cylinders 5 & 7. The dye made finding the leak very easy, it's easily available on the net.
While the inlet manifold was off I rebuilt the carbs, fitted new water pump gaskets and generally cleaned everything up.

[Rich Halifax]

Thanks for all your advice. Very comforting knowing I can ask a question and get good info back. Cheers