cooling system

[geepeetee]

Hi

I have a small coolant leak on our 04 plate fortwo.

Its dripping from where the sump meets the engine just near where the dipstick tube (outer) runs. Its clean coolant (no oil, sludge etc) and leaves a patch about 400mm on the drive after a run but its annoying me.

Had a look around but cant see where its coming from, i'm sure its coming from above and running down. Cant find any info on the cooling system on the internet, advice or a link to a drawing of the cooling system would be really helpful so i can have half an idea what to look for.

Any advice appreciated.

Gary

[10:45PM]

Re: cooling system

My guess is it's leaking at the water pump bearing/gland

[geepeetee]

Re: cooling system

Hi

Thanks, can you tell me where to find it, is it driven by a belt a per usual. Whats involved in changing or repairing it.

Thanks

Gary

[heinkeljb]

Re: cooling system

Most likely a failed water pump.

It is belt driven - belt also runs the alternator.

Changing hte water pump is not that hard, but access is a bit bad, but not impossible.

There is are a couple of "how to's" available on how to do it;

Basically, you remove the OFF (corrected) side rear wheel, remove the inner wheel arch, remove the belt guard, remove the belt, undo the bolts holding hte front of the water pump on. Fit your replacement and fit everything else you took off and jobs done.

There are a couple of things that might catch you out. The access to a couple of the bolts is difficult unless you lower the engine a bit (either just that side of the whole subframe). ALso it is possible to snap the small diameter bolts used and then you have to take the "whole" water pump casting off the engine block, rather than just the impeler and bearing, to sort out the snapped bolts.

If you have some basic mechanical knowledge and suitable tools for working on SMART's then it is perfectly within the home mechanics realm of things they can do for themselves and save money on.

Regards,

John

[10:45PM]

Re: cooling system

yeah the pump is located on the offside side edge of the engine , where the belts are.

If you go on Fq101.co.uk, have a look at these for starters, not sure if there is a specific one on water pump but take a look http://www.fq101.co.uk/component/sea...archphrase=all

and here http://www.fq101.co.uk/how-to-guides...omponents.html

#3 in the pic


(grrr I'm having connection probs so I can't get at it )

Ah, John's replied whilst I was typing

[10:45PM]

Re: cooling system

And it's not cheap IIRC !!, so make certain the pump is the definite culprit (from what you've said , it's a odds on bet it's the pump)

[10:45PM]

Re: cooling system

Basically, you remove the near side rear wheel

Offside !! (as in drivers side - RHD, or passenger side - LHD)

[heinkeljb]

Re: cooling system

Which side is the near side or which side is the offside might depend on which side of the road you travel on or which side of the car the steering wheel is on - There is an argument for either of those,


BUT

You are right, my mistake, should have written OFFSIDE REAR WHEEL!

(Not quite sure why I wrote near side...... must be getting old )

Regards,

John

[heinkeljb]

Re: cooling system

Water pump ~ £50

So take the belt off, try wiggling the pulley and rotating it. If the bearing is shot it will feel rough and there will be play in the bearing. You should also be able to see antifreeze dropplets comming from the shaft area as you wiggle it if the seal has gone. If you are unlucky, it will sound like a bag of bolts when the engine is running and turning the pump and EVEN more unlucky if you do nothing about it as it will give up in a spectaular fashion and dump all the antifreeze all over the floor and then seize your engine as it overheats shortly thereafter!

Does that make it sound like I think you should change your water pump? Well, I think if you have any doubts about the water pump it would be wise to change it.

Regards,

John

[geepeetee]

Re: cooling system

Thanks for the replies, they are a huge help. Done a little more investigating since my first post and the water is running down the sump/block joint from the direction of the crankshaft pulley so i guess that confirms what you all suggested.

Will have to get my socket set out i guess.

Thanks again

Gary

[geepeetee]

Re: cooling system

Couple more questions....

Do i need to drain the system fully before removal?
I need to get some torx sockets, what sizes will i need?

Thanks again

Gary

[10:45PM]

Re: cooling system

Not needed if you don't want to, but you will need to bleed the system afterwards either way

I'd personally actually drain it and refill with a fresh mix of 50/50 antifreeze for best results, you know the state of the system then. should be replaced every three years anyway