cooling system leak sealer

nisan17 · Post by **nisan17** » 04 Nov 2006, 21:40

Is it recommened to use a cooling system leak sealer to stop a small leak that occurs in my 79 242 after I drive it, when it cools down? It occurs on the water pump, where it mates to the block etc. My other volvos have had this problem(just wet around the gasgets) but not to this extent. With my other vovlos I've just learned that this was a normal trait!?

Thanks in advance.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Nov 2006, 21:52

Don't know about the 240's but on the FWD (white engines), if the water pump is leaking we replace them as soon as possible.

Post by **billofdurham** » 05 Nov 2006, 11:35

On the FWD engines the water pump is driven by the timing belt. If the pump fails the timing belt will stop, with catastrophic results to the engine. So, as MIJ quite rightly says, the pump is changed immediately.

On the RWD engines the water pump is driven by an external belt running from the crankshaft pulley. Should it fail the resultant damage, if any, will not be so extreme.

Other points to check before going ahead with sealer are: excessive movement of the pump shaft and noisy operation.

If the only problem is a leaking gasket then sealer might do the trick, temporarily.

Bill.

nisan17 · Post by **nisan17** » 05 Nov 2006, 17:50

Sounds like the way is clear to use the temporary fix, until I have the time to repair it.

Thanks guys

nisan17 · Post by **nisan17** » 29 Nov 2006, 22:21

It's a week now after I replaced the water pump and while i was in there also replaced the timing belt.

Runs like a champ.
The leak was too far gone.

Post by **billofdurham** » 30 Nov 2006, 12:06

Glad you've got it sorted, just unfortunate the sealant was no good.

Bill.