Water pump question

[Evante]

Hi All,

My 72 Federal Sprint had been sitting for 19 years before I bought it. Other than rebuild the carbs and put on a new fuel pump, I have done nothing else to the engine. I know that Elan water pumps do not like to sit and I will probably need to replace the water pump sooner than later. I have put about 500 miles on the car and so far so good.

My question is, what signs should I expect to see/hear that will let me know the water pump is going?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jay S.

[elancoupe]

Dripping from the bleed hole and/or play in the bearing are the common symptoms.

[MarkDa]

From what I've read in the past if the initial start up didn't do the seal in you should be ok.
But yes it'll leak out.

[Evante]

Thank you for your responses.

Jay S.

[69S4]

Last time my pump went I was in France with the car. From noticing the drip / leak I got about another 2-300 miles before I could feel play in the bearing and after that another 3-400 miles before water was coming out everywhere. Interestingly, even with the bearing completely shot, the pump didn't leak that much while I was actually driving. It was only when I stopped / in town at low revs that it poured out. Topping it up go me back to Dover and the AA got me home from there.

[JJDraper]

Have a look at this video of my failed water pump...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUsm7FD ... e=youtu.be

As 69S4 says, mine only packed up after a fast run, as I was parking up. There had been a little play for the last 20-30k miles. Was good for over 100k miles in total though..

Jeremy

[Evante]

That video was very helpful.

Thank you Jeremy!

JAS