1997 850 wet under timing cover? Picture

mika · Post by **mika** » 25 Aug 2015, 14:32

Pulled timing cover today. The belt is not wet but there is some residue on the bottom. Would coolant be the only substance there (does not look like oil, or taste like oil).

If it is leaky water pump, has anyone driven on a leaky water pump gasket?

I am worried to replace gasket because I am unsure of how to loosen the belt, worried that I will screw it up as I always seem to do somehow

KSUMMEY · Post by **KSUMMEY** » 25 Aug 2015, 14:45

On the water pump is a weep hole. I would bet the water pump is leaking look for the hole with an inspection mirror. If your not fully confident you can change the water pump and timing belt pay someone. If you mess the timing up you risk bending a valve and then you get in to big money with a cylinder head removal. You can see the hole in the link.

https://volvo850wagon.files.wordpress.c ... cn0440.jpg

mika · Post by **mika** » 25 Aug 2015, 14:46

Great tip on the weep hole, was not aware

I am interest in how you moved from p80s to s60s, any regrets?

850TurboTurtle · Post by **850TurboTurtle** » 25 Aug 2015, 15:06

I had water there on my 96 850. It was from a hairline crack in the thermostat housing. It rolls back and down that spot. When I got my new housing from a junk yard I had my local machine shop run a belt sander on it for 5 seconds to get it really flat. New one has been flawless.

Post by **scot850** » 25 Aug 2015, 15:16

If I may suggest, leave the cover off and dry everything off best you can, and that will reduce the amount of fluid getting thrown around under the cover. Hopefully that will help to diagnose if the leak is the pump or the thermostat housing as suggested. Also check the pipes from the header tank as they can leak as can the header tank itself.

Neil.

mika · Post by **mika** » 25 Aug 2015, 15:22

great ideas. Did not consider the thermo housing. By header tank, do you mean expansion tank for the coolant?

Post by **scot850** » 25 Aug 2015, 17:11

Yes, that is what I mean. British speak, sorry. Also check the pipe that runs down from the expansion tank down the back of the block as that can also leak and run coolant down there. Pipe may need replaced, or just tightened up. Look for tell-tale signs like the metal pipe rusting or wet at the joint.

Neil.

wjhandy850 · Post by **wjhandy850** » 25 Aug 2015, 21:30

I would say that very indicative of a leaking water pump. Mine was doing that and I rode on it for while, and was probably lucky. It was leaking through the shaft. I never showed up in the weep hole and that is where it is supposed to weep if that shaft has a leak. I guess when it gets bad enough it will start weep, and the clock is definitely ticking.