While installing the trans. in my S320, coolant kept dripping down while the engine was tilted back. I put a huge corkscrew at the front--on the alternator bracket--to raise the front of the engine, thus achieving more tilt and making the trans. install smoother. While the engine was raised by this manner, coolant would drip down. It appears to be coming from the water pump side of the engine. The engine was not raised more than 2" or so, and none of the hoses seemed to be strained. This work was done on a lift and I could not find where the coolant was coming from specifically. It seems to be coming from the waterpump, so it's either a hose there or the pump. Is this normal? As soon as the front of the engine was lowered (to normal position), the leak stopped. It would drip about every 5 seconds or so.

With the car running, after the trans. install, there was no trace of a leak! We had it running for about 20 minutes of and on, with a drop of coolant. When the trans. had to come back out (after the rebuild it would not build enough pressure to engage the clutches), the leak returned when the engine was slightly jacked up in the front. Again, it went away when it was put back to normal position. I'm afraid this leak is going to show up next time in the middle of nowhere, with heavy snow and and a temp. of -10°. Is this normal? Perhaps some feature?

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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The car sat since July. It was started 2 different times within two days before the trans. was pulled. Could the water pump seal be bad enough that it just leaks when tilted back and not running?

Thanks
David

__________________
_____________________________________________

2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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