Water pump housing leak

[eatont9999]

All,

I did some cooling system work yesterday and thought I had everything buttoned up. I am getting a pretty heavy leak at the water pump housing to the engine block that I just noticed today. I replaced the coolant hoses, thermostat, bypass hose and tstat housing gasket. I didn't touch the water pump or water pump housing and the system did not leak a drop before the maintenance was performed. I was not planning to do anything with the WP since it seemed fine, so I don't have any of the gaskets required for it or the pump housing. I am fairly sure that the leak is coming from the WP housing to the block because I don't feel any wetness under the WP. The leak is so bad that without pressure in the system and the engine off, it is dripping 1-2 drops per second. Remember, I did not touch anything to do with the WP housing aside from clean the hose connectors.

I am mid-way through flushing the system. Last night I left a mix of 3/4 gallon of vinegar and the rest water in the system to help remove any residual rust. The mix came out clear this morning. After that, I noticed the leak. I have straight water in the system right now. Yesterday it was 80F out and this morning it was 30F out and sleeting. I checked to see if anything had froze in the cooling system but everything was liquid.

I obviously can't drive the car until the problem is fixed. I have never pulled a WP or housing but the threads I have read seem to indicate it is a PITA to do mostly because of the fastener locations. I will need to remove the belts, fan shroud and bypass housing but what other tricks can I use to get the housing, pump, fan assembly off the engine and into the house where it is not 30F? One of the housing bolts looks like a real PITA to get at. Do I have to remove the WP first? If so, I will just replace it now.