300e coolant leak, HELP! Stranded otr.

[r l white]

While travelling from NC to CT my 300te developed a coolant leak. A steady stream from around the h2o pump region. I cannot actually find the source from any angle, even with a mirror. My question is... If it is the pump (I suspect where it mates with the block via an "o" ring) what are my options short of a new pump as I have one back in NC. Could I use silicone with the existing ring? Could the problem be something else? My biggest problem is that I have to be back in NC Monday night!
In desparation I had to resort to using bars leak to get me from VA to CT. It held intil the CT state line then began leaking again.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Rl White

[sixto]

It could be a bad o-ring but usually it's the shaft seal that goes. The leak path is from the seal towards the rear then down towards the block to the area of the o-ring then along the oil pan ridge to about the left engine mount then to the lower engine panel or ground.

It's difficult to even see the weep hole in an M103 water pump.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

[r l white]

Thanks for the quick reply, Sixto. I checked the shaft and the housing just below the shaft and there did'nt appear to be any leakage.? I'll check again in the morning.
Any thoughts on another bottle of Bars Leak tho get me back to North Carolina then a good flush and new water pump?
Thanks,
RL

[sixto]

You have a temp gauge and a coolant level gauge. Do you trust them?

Do you have the facilities to loosen the belt and feel for play in the water pump shaft?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

[kramlavud]

How badly does it leak? Can you add water/coolant every so often on the trip home? Some say 'stopleak' can clog the radiator and heater core; thus you may need to replace these in addition to the water pump.
regards,
Mark

[deanyel]

Bars Leak and a few gallons of water should get you home. Unlikely you're going to have to replace the radiator just because of some Bars Leak - unless it was on the margin anyway.

[r l white]

have the belt off, very little play and no bearing noise. With a mirror I see no signs of leakage even after adding h2o. So it may be the "o" ring.?? unless there is something else down there that could be the cause. Any ideas? And, do I have to take the p.s. pump pulley off in order to move the pump out of the way? I have the two top bolts out and have loosened a nut at the rear of the ps pump but it still won't budge.
News flash! I just found an h20 pump at the Auto Zone here in Norwich. So I will be replacing the pump, flushing the Bars Leak and hoping that that will be the cure.
Thanks millions to you guys.
RL

[stevebfl]

Unless you are destitute (and even if you are) it is pure economic stupidity to ruin a whole system (with stop leak) just to get home. Rent a car, pay a professional (Oh no not that!), or fix it on the side of the road.