New water pump time? But first...

[TransSportSTL]

...I wanted to run this by you folks before I beging tearing things apart.

My '95 Trans Sport, with a mere 146 thousand miles (yeah baby!) doesn't overheat -- in fact, the temp gauge never breaks 200 degrees, except when started again just after being run awhile.

Here's the deal -- a metallic ringing noise, like a bad bearing or water pump, would be coming from the engine area from time to time. The coolant resevoir was bone dry, so I added 50/50 Dexcool, as per the engine compartment sticker. It ate that ok, and as expected.

Checking it a few nights later, it was dry, so I added more and...oops...overfilled the resevoir. I figured it would vent what what it didn't need.

The ringing metallic noise has stopped, as as I said before, the van does not overheat, or come near it. And the interior warms up nicely.

Now mind you, I believe it needs an a/c refrigerant charge. I was trying to check the a/c today, seeing if the compressor would cycle, and noticed a stream coming from the water pump area, as if under the alternator, from what I can tell.. (and, btw, no cold a/c)

Does this sound like a new water pump is needed, or could this be a symptom of my overfill? There's plenty of coolant in the resevoir.

I wanted to check with you all before I tear into it, or add 134 refrigerant.

I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question. It's been years since I've worked on cars, bear with me ok? :-)

With many thanks...

John

[cdru]

The bearing and/or seal on your water pump may have gone, allowing coolant to leak out through the weep hole. This is by design and probably should be investigated. I can't say for the dustbuster Trans Sports, but on the the later TS/Montana vans, the water pump isn't too hard to replace and is fairly cheap aftermarket (~$25). AC compressor would be the other suspect.

[richtazz]

If your van has the 3.1, it's a very easy job. The water pump is right on top, and takes a total of 9 bolts to remove. It takes longer to scrape the old gasket off than it does to actually change the pump. The 3.8 isn't much more difficult, other than reaching down in to get to it. I don't believe your van has the stupid motor mount in the way like the Bonne, Lesabre, etc... do.