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RJ Currie Posted on May 12, 2017
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1990 Cabrio water pump leaks on start

My 1990 vw Cabriolet water pump (no AC, no power steering) is leaking - but only at start-up. At the bottom of the pump there is what looks like a cap - grey and penny-sized. At start-up, the pump literally pees around this cap for about 30 seconds, then stops. This only happens when the engine is cold. So if I, say, drive to a mall, then leave two hours later, it won't leak. But next morning, it has a pee when I start up, then stops. So of course, when I take it to a tech, they say, it's not leaking. Help?

1 Answer

Rigger DeBusk

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  • Volkswagen Master 1,811 Answers
  • Posted on May 12, 2017
Rigger DeBusk
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Joined: Aug 28, 2012
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Any time ANY vehicle leaks at that weep hole, it's because the seal in the water pump has gone bad. All water pumps have this same weep hole in the same position to let you know the seal is bad. Makes no difference if it has a penny over the hole or not, replace the water pump and it won't "p" on you any more.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 65 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 17, 2009

SOURCE: Might have transmission fluid leak????

its fairly easy to be honest.you only need the tool to check transmision temp.it should be checked at a temp of 40 degrees c.so i reckon 10-15 mins from cold on idle(dont drive it ) should be about right.then remove the plug in the sump.this exposes a tube that goes in to the sump that is the right length so that only excess oil will drain out.Bassicaly the tube allows the sump to drain until the correct ammount of oil is in there.if you need to top up there is a short tube with a red cover over the top of it.remove this and top up until oil drains out the sump from the hole where the sump plug goes.go here for a picture that explains all.......
http://www.2carpros.com/forum/transmission-fluid-vt159056.html

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Colin Stickland

  • 22516 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 02, 2009

SOURCE: 1980 VW rabbit, manual/fuel injection: I am

it starts from cold because the auto choke is on ,allowing a richer mixture ,try removing the sender unit in the tank and seeing if the connection from the pump to the outlet connection is ok or leaking causing a loss of fuel pressure

JIMMY

  • 1374 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 15, 2010

SOURCE: 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T has a leak somewhere.Need diagram

Bring the car into a repair shop and have them pressure test it for leaks or you can purchase a pressure tester make sure you get the appropriate adapter for your cars radiator filler neck or resovoir, and check for leaks yourself. Make sure the car is cold and there is the appropriate mixtiure of coolant and water in the system, prior to pressure testing. Also do a visual inspection of the cooling system when the vehicle is cold and look for leaks.

Ed Paje

  • 632 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 23, 2010

SOURCE: Check Engine lite comes on Code PO440

16824/P0440/001088 - EVAP Emission Control Sys: Malfunction Possible Symptoms

  • Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) active
Possible Causes
  • Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System leaking
  • Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Canister Purge Regulator Valve (N80) faulty
  • Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Canister Purge Solenoid Valve (N115) faulty
Possible Solutions
  • Check Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Sealing
  • Check Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Canister Purge Regulator Valve (N80)
  • Check Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Canister Purge Solenoid Valve (N115)

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Dec 24, 2012

SOURCE: Losing coolant from the reservoir but cannot see

my '01 Jetta had a similar problem. I could always smell coolant and the bottle was always low. I crawled under the car and there it was..a caked on mess of pink antifreeze. There is a plastic intersection 3 way valve where the coolant temp sensor resides. it has 2 bolts and a rubber o-ring. Because it is plastic, it cracks. it drips down onto areas which are really not visible from above and then sizzles and melts onto areas under the engine. The part was only about $25, took 30 min to install and my problem is now fixed. Air was getting into the system through the small crack in the valve further complicating the system operation.

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Steering gone and overhaeating

It's leaking out of your water pump.It is leaking while you are driving,when you stop,it's all gone,on the highway.
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Hi there, my 1997 cabrio volkswagens is hard to turn when i drive and its full of power steer fluid. Also my car is overheating but i see no sign leaks. Can you please help me?

CHECK THE OUTER BELT FIRST.IS IT IN PLACE?CHECK ALSO FOR POSSIBLE LEAKS UNDER THE CAR FIRST.U MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND THE STEERING FLUID LEAK...GOOD LUCK.
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I have a 1992 VW Cabriolet which leaks badly during heavy rain. Some small seepage comes in around the clamps at the top of the windshield, but the major leak occurs on the passenger side floor under the...

Hi,
windshield seals are usually not the problem: Here's the secret: There are 2 round rubber drains that are meant to get water away from that firewall: Yours are clogged!
The solution is simple: Open the hood, look to both the left and right of your blower fan (that's where your water was coming from, by the way), check both and I promise you, they are both blocked. Now take a long screw driver and push trough any leaves or gunk in there and then take a garden hose and spray it into both holes and voila! No more water inside Cabby!
Enjoy your dry Cabrio! Cheers!
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Flashing coolant light when gas pedal engaged and out when idling. gauge shows 1/2. Added antifreeze. 1990 VW cabriolet. Other times it flickers.

You need to have this pressure tested to find a leak or diagnose a bad water pump or thermostat. Could also be a bad sensor or wiring harness.
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Clear fluid leaking from the front right side of a 2000 vw beetl

Could be brake fluid, so look at the brake fluid resevoir.
Could also be water from the evaporator, from the air conditioner.
Is it oily to the touch?
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I have to replace my alternator belt on my 92 vw cabriolet. I can't seem to release the tension on the "other" belt thats in the way. I found the tension release bolt on the bottom and I thought I'd...

There should be two bolts one at the pivot point other at the tension point might be rusted in positing. Take a piece of wood and try to crack it loose or a rubber hammer to get it that extra force.

As for the other belts there should be a third pully just for tension for the ac and for the power steering just loosing the pivot bolt and the tension bolt and it all should come loose
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Dont know where thermostat goes. engine overheating, coolsnt not cycling.

The thermostat is bolted into the bottom of the water pump, the lower radiator hose connects to a cover that holds the thermostat to the water pump.

the thermostat can be difficult to get at because the AC and power steering pump are all bolted on top of the water pump,

Your problem may not be a bad thermostat.
I would also check:

1) water pump, some of the vw pumps are poorly made & tend to go bad.

2) fans belts, it can be tricky to get the right tension on these belts due to a badly designed tensioner system on the power steering & water pump belt.

3) hoses, radiator, coolant tank,. the radiators and coolant tank tend to leak when they get old, the plastic cracks or the rubber seals go bad.
Also check the electrical system controlling the engine cooling fans. there are sensors and relays that can go bad.
I have owned 8 vw's most of the major problems with these cars was due to electical problems.

4) Engine problems such as a blown head gaskets, or ignition timing problems can cause overheating. luckily VW engines usually don't have these problems, unlike other companies 4 cylinder engines (the Dodge Neons for example)



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