Tdi 300 water pump testing?

[rrturboD]

Gday all,
I have been chasing a coolant smell, and just recently, air in the system.
My low water sensor in the top of the motor goes mad whenever we restart after having been parked for a while. I have replaced a couple of hoses that had 'weep' marks on them.
How do I know that the water pump is circulating the water ... If I undo the plug on top of the motor (where the water sensor is fitted) the water level rises slowly, as I fill the expansion tank. I expected water to be pushed out by the pump, with some force ... but not.
Help please.
Michael T

[Davy]

Have a look just under the water pump pulley and see if there is a tell tale
stain from coolant leaking from the seal.

Davy

[Davy]

Also,
I don't know what brand of coolant sensor you have, but Engine Saver sensors are designed to be fitted in the radiator not the thermostat housing unless the optional long sensor is used.
( We use this optional sensor when the radiator hole is already being used for a thermo fan sensor)

At rest the coolant level is normally about 1" below the top of the bleed screw in the thermostat housing and doesn't rise until the engine has pumped some coolant up there.

Hope this helps, but it doesn't explain the coolant smell.

Davy

[rrturboD]

Thanks for the replies.

My real question is:
How can I test/see that the water pump is operating correctly?

[justinc]

Hi Michael,

Loosen the small 8mm ID hose from the top of the thermo housing, and remove it. Start and run the engine and at idle, the stream of water should be strong enough to reach almost to the AC compressor. If a slight rev, it should go everywhere:o
I might do a flow test on a known good one and let you know in L/ minute.

JC

[TonyC]

Hi Michael,

Loosen the small 8mm ID hose from the top of the thermo housing, and remove it. Start and run the engine and at idle, the stream of water should be strong enough to reach almost to the AC compressor. If a slight rev, it should go everywhere:o
I might do a flow test on a known good one and let you know in L/ minute.

JC

Well I've been waiting with baited breath, as the water pump is almost the last thing in chasing my over heating prob.

At idle I get one litre a minute, at a fast idle (don't know how fast I don't have a tacho yet) I get three litres a minute.
Justin, does this sound about right ?

Thanks

Tony

[goldey]

Just interested to know, did the water pump issue provide the answer to the low water sensor alarm going off after leaving the car off for a while?

I have a similar issue with my 300tdi disco at the moment. No apparent signs of coolant loss, but the alarm rings on for a while after starting the car and getting up to temperature. I've yet to check the alarm wiring to see if there may be a short in the wiring somewhere. Oh, and my engine saver sensor is the in line hose one mounted in the hose between the thermostat housing and the top of the radiator.

Thanks guys

Goldey

[sumo]

Gday all,
I have been chasing a coolant smell, and just recently, air in the system.
My low water sensor in the top of the motor goes mad whenever we restart after having been parked for a while. I have replaced a couple of hoses that had 'weep' marks on them.
How do I know that the water pump is circulating the water ... If I undo the plug on top of the motor (where the water sensor is fitted) the water level rises slowly, as I fill the expansion tank. I expected water to be pushed out by the pump, with some force ... but not.
Help please.
Michael T


G/day Michael, I've experienced air getting in the 300Tdi system a few times, and its always been the P gasket After fitting a few of them and still having probs, i ended up putting a bottle of bars leak in the header tank, Have not had a whiff of a prob anywhere since;) Best thing for a 300 motor, old proven product, and harmless to components.

Cheers Sumo:D

[rrturboD]

Thanks for the advice Sumo, Looks like I will have the head off next weekend, chasing a cam follower 'tick', so will get to check out a few things along the way. Recently I have been finding that I can add 2l of water after a trip, so I am suspecting head ... as no externally visible leaks.
Michael T
PS. I have confirmed that the water sensor is operating correctly, so know that is not an issue.