Thread: 300 tdi engine water leak

On mine a leak started there at just under 100,000 km. Took some careful looking to detemine that the water pump seal has failed, even though there was no play in the bearing. The pump is basically a throwaway part. You would need to be innovative to instal some sort of replacement seal and it would probably only be worth attempting if the vehicle urgently needed to be run before a replacement was available.

Sounds like water pump. Mine was replaced at 100,000 km and one of the mounting bolts had rusted badly and broke off - PIA to get out.

While you're buying the car suggest you get a low coolant level alarm from EngineSaver and fit that to your radiator top hose.

BWOA, when replacing the water pump, ensure that the "P" gasket behind it is also replaced

Two points maybe slightly off topic. I obtained a replacement from a specialist Land Rover mechanic who also sells some spare parts. He commented to the effect that the original pumps at least were not very reliable. The one he supplied, QH brand looked as if it was made by a different manufacturer than the original. Any comments on relative reliability of different makes of 300TDI water pumps?

The other comment is re the regular suggestion that a water level monitor should be installed. The main point of the exercise is to stop the motor before it gets hot enough to damage itself. I have a temperature sensitive switch on the head {Cost approx $40) which opens the circuit when the temperature gets to 105 degrees and the wire to the fuel solenoid in the injector pump first goes through it.

Originally Posted by mox

Two points maybe slightly off topic. I obtained a replacement from a specialist Land Rover mechanic who also sells some spare parts. He commented to the effect that the original pumps at least were not very reliable. The one he supplied, QH brand looked as if it was made by a different manufacturer than the original. Any comments on relative reliability of different makes of 300TDI water pumps?

The other comment is re the regular suggestion that a water level monitor should be installed. The main point of the exercise is to stop the motor before it gets hot enough to damage itself. I have a temperature sensitive switch on the head {Cost approx $40) which opens the circuit when the temperature gets to 105 degrees and the wire to the fuel solenoid in the injector pump first goes through it.

I think it is still better to detect the drop of coolant somewhere high in the system (mine has a float in the recovery tank) before the engine even gets to the overheating stage.
There is a chance that by the time the temp sensor has cut your solenoid the engine is already partially dry, and air superheats more than AFB so you get hot spots and that's when metal bits warp...
Also when the engine stops (now beyond your control) Murphy says it will without a doubt be somewhere most inconvenient.

Originally Posted by Psimpson7

Hi Guys,

I looked at a 300tdi 110 last night which had a water leak coming from the N/S front corner of the engine. Is this likely to be the water pump gasket? or is there any chance it could be the headgasket.

The owner has put some leak stop in it and it hasnt been run out of water.

Cheers
Pete

Iwould say its the Pgasket, the gasket behind the housing which the water pump is mounted to, the front bearing usually squeals and starts to collapse before the seal leaks on a 300tdi pump.


Cheers Sumo

My pump failed before it leaked.... bearing failure.

Replace the pump if your unsure, they are not that dear. $200 for memory.

Originally Posted by sclarke

My pump failed before it leaked.... bearing failure.

Replace the pump if your unsure, they are not that dear. $200 for memory.

So did mine at about 120k.
Absolutely no sign of a leak and the bearing collapsed in a big way.