Guys, This water pump corrosion is on a car I'm looking at. I have seen aluminum corrosion and galvanic corrosion before, but not like this. What would be the cause for this and what can be done about it? Any help would be appreciated.
Leaking coolant on that attaching bolt on front cover and possibly the other one on p***enger side, it's not the pump itself. I've seen that frosty residue on other cars I've owned and simply removed the cover/pump, cleaned things up thoroughly before re***embly with sealant and gasket with no damage whatsoever to anything. You won't know until you pull the pump and cover ***embly whether or not housing is corroded and requires replacing.
I believe when you take it apart you'll find out whoever put the motor together forgot to put sealer on the timing chain cover bolts. Those bolts go all the way into the water jacket so you have to put sealer on the threads or once the engine gets up to operating temperature the buildup in radiator pressure will force antifreeze past the bolt threads the out past the bolt head.
I have had a couple of engines like that and the said cause is. No sealant on the threads. So when you take it apart be prepared to have a replacement timing chain cover before you start. I have had the bolts turn off with little to no torque and leave the front cover stuck, actually frozen in place on the bolts. That caused the front cover to be removed in pieces. Worst case scenario is the bolt breaking off in the front of the block. They usually break off below the surface and those 5/16th bolts are tricky to remove and will require some time and possible ingenuity. You will need a timing chain gasket kit as the front oil pan bolts are involved.
Welcome to a small block Ford. I havent been able to seal one up tight there ever. All of mine leak there, more of a seep, but all are wet. Its coolant. you can try sealing tight, but I just keep it washed and the corrosion flakes dont have a chance to build up
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