Leakless Water Pump

[Tom in SW VA]

I have a truly dumb question: Can you lubricate a leakless water pump? Mine is making noise.

Thanx

[glenn in camino]

Put some waterpump lubricant/rust inhibitor in your radiator.

[Tom Wesenberg]

My original water pump has been leakless for the 10 years I've been running it. In fact I got real lucky yesterday because on Saturday I removed the rear brass cap and the brass collar nut and lubed the rear bushing until I saw grease start out the front of the rear bushing. I screwed the collar back on, but forgot the brass cap for the grease fitting on top of the head. After driving just over a hundred miles I saw the brass cap still on the head yesterday when I checked the oil.

To answer your question, some leakless pumps can be greased and some can't. Do you have the original instructions, or know who did the pump?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Yes, most leakless pumps are supposed to have the front bearing lubed once a year. The rear is the one that does not require lube.

[redmodelt]

Some leak less KITS sold by the venders have no way to lube the front bearing cartridge, it's sealed. The rear bearing assembly cant be greased ether, it's all pressed into the housing. So be sure which type you have before trying to force grease in.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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Remove the fittings & see if there's a hole going into the bearing. There are all kinds of configurations of "leakless pumps." Mine is a leakless, greasless pump from Sacramento Vintage Ford.
Just a thought, If I were going to use acids, vinegar, etc,etc to clean my cooling system, I would worry that they might screw up the modern seals in my leakless pump!
If I ever had to do drastic cleaning, I have a perfect stock pump I would use until it was cleaned & neutralized, then put my good pump back on & install coolant and/or a good rust inhibitor. I cleaned my other car out & shortly the leakless pump leaked & I found a groove in the shaft, cut by the neoprene seal!! Bill W. (NEW PUMPS AIN'T CHEAP!)

[Jack '29 Sport Coupe]

Snyder's sells two types of leakless. One can be lubed in back, but not in the front.
Another one they sell cannot be lubed at all. They also sell the original style that
needs to be lubed every 500 miles. They also sell the packing material for about 4.00
bucks.

Jack

[columbiA]

A properly rebuilt original pump will last as long or longer than a so-called "leakless" one.

[Tom in SW VA]

My waterpump does have a front grease plug that is functional. I put grease in the front part plug and, as of now, the noise has stopped.

[dennisonk1957]

Helpful info...my bearing is noisy...what type of grease?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Any type of good quality grease will work.


I would concur that a properly rebuilt water pump will last just as long as a good leakless one will providing the same materials are used. Most leakless shafts now have stainless shafts as opposed to a mild steel shaft that will/can rust. Since the softer steel shaft has the ability to wear under the the packing, this is an area where routine maintenance needs to happen either by tightening or replacing the packing. I find most people either do not have the time or desire to do this maintenance in a "routine" basis therefore the pump tends to have a drip/leak. Thus for those individuals, the leakless is arguably a better option.

[Mitch//pa]

Tightening the belt to much can also put unneeded wear on the frt bearing

[green30coupe]

All this talk about leakless pumps reminds me of the time a tool salesman tried to sell me a cordless screwdriver. He was not amused when I told him all mine are cordless and that, in fact, I have several cordless ball-peen hammers and some cordless pliers and wrenches, too.

Ed

[dennisonk1957]

Ed, That is funny right there....and air conditioning in cars...All Model As come with Air....most with two vents, some three ...mine is a Tudor so I have five vents. A roadster has three ...two smaller and one giant A/C vent.

[bbriggs]

While everyone is talking about water pumps here,I have a question-- I just added some packing to my stock water pump and noticed that there is about 1/4 inch (in and out) play in the shaft. Suggestions? Can the water pump be removed with out removing the radiator? (standard 2 blade fan).
Thanks

BAB

[Pat Martone]

I have a James Rupert Extreme Duty Leakless Water pump which has sealed bearings at both the front and rear and therefore does not need to be greased, although the grease fittings are there to make it look stock. I recall that it was expensive but came with a 5-year warranty. It appears to be very well made.

[steve s]

Eventually, the best-grease argument will arise: Use a water soluble grease that will gradually dissolve but not plug radiator, or, use more normal grease that will not dissolve but that, therefore, must plug the radiator or other small orifi when excess amounts of it bleb off into the coolant. Ford recommended the former, but most pump vendors seem to recommend the latter.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

A friend bought a Model A with a stock pump that appeared to be leaking. Someone had put an Alemite fitting in the rear of the pump that had NO check ball or spring in it---DRIP---DRIP----DRIP! Bill W.

[Don/WI]

Originally Posted by steve s

Eventually, the best-grease argument will arise: Use a water soluble grease that will gradually dissolve but not plug radiator, or, use more normal grease that will not dissolve but that, therefore, must plug the radiator or other small orifi when excess amounts of it bleb off into the coolant. Ford recommended the former, but most pump vendors seem to recommend the latter.

I often see people suggest using "water soluable" grease" but no information as to brand name or product number. Does antone have that information? I would really appreciate it. Thanks. Don/WI

[Aok]

Lubriplate 115 is one recommended (at least by the company) water pump grease.
2nd link is mds sheet


http://www.lubriplate.com/PDFs/PDS/3_13-100-Series.aspx

http://www.lubriplate.com/PDFs/MSDS/115.aspx