Water pump weeping...normal?
 

I had my 4 bolt water pump rebuilt by what I consider a reputable rebuilder. It was installed last summer, but the car has not actually been run since then. It has been cranked a few times but not actually run. I keep getting a very light green color on some paper towels I put under the crank pulleys. I see that there is a stain underneath the water pump "weep hole". I don't ever remember having this on my previous water pumps. I'm questioning whether the shaft seal on this rebuild is defective. Any comments appreciated. Thx RA

Yep. Leaking. Should be bone dry

One thing I have noticed is when you allow a car to sit things that are normally spun up or exercised to remain in good working order will dry out or start to tarnish and or rust. I see this on gauges, especially 50+ year old speedometers; all the time.


It is really not practical to keep one of these old cars running as your everyday driver for a time span of 50 years for more.

So at some point the car, even if it's complete & runs or not, the car sits.

I have seen an older water pump seal dry out and leak in years past on cars that just sit. It's not just the "miles."

I'd reassess it after some run time. Even a good seal sometimes needs a few turns to seat properly against the shaft.

I've had a lower radiator hose have a drip run down it after the car was out of commission for a couple months for a front suspension rebuild. I work a lot and can only turn wrenches when I have the time, so it was kind of drawn out.

Once the car was started and driven once or twice a week like I normally do, the leak stopped.

Maybe drive it a bit and wait it out.