Waterpump weep hole leak normal?

[dmulk]

Hey all,

My brother just got a 2012 a few months ago. When looking it over i spotted a bit of what appeared to be "residue" around the tip of the hose that leads to the weep hole for the water pump. There was also a little bit of residue on the skid plate where the hose rests.

When i got home i checked my 2014 and noticed the exact same thing. Its not a lot and now thst ive been watching it i havent ever seen it wet.

My YES is about to expire later this year and was wondering if this is a normal condition of this bike or if its something to address before the warranty expires.

Again, wouldnt have noticed it if we werent looking at his with a fine tooth comb at the time of purchase.

Thoughts?

Thanks
Dan

 

[Paul466]

I’d have it looked at, check your oil also, if it’s milky coolant is mixing with oil.

 

[EricV]

You do know that you can usually extend your warranty another 2 years, right? If you haven't received a letter from Yamaha about it, go check their web site or call D&H Cycles in Cullman, AL and they can probably find out if you're eligible.

 

[dmulk]

I’d have it looked at, check your oil also, if it’s milky coolant is mixing with oil.

Both are clear and fresh looking. Honestly its just a little amount....mostly crust....that i was wondering if others have noticed it. The hose is so buried in the bash plate im wondering if anyone actually notices it. I have to use a bright flashlight at just the right angle to see it on mine...

 

[dmulk]

You do know that you can usually extend your warranty another 2 years, right? If you haven't received a letter from Yamaha about it, go check their web site or call D&H Cycles in Cullman, AL and they can probably find out if you're eligible.

Yep, and i plan to. I havent received notice yet but expect to in rhe next 60 days or so.

 

[WJBertrand]

I don't know if it's normal or not, but mine has done this since new. No change on the coolant reservoir level.

 

[HeliMark]

Mine has done it also from new (64K on it now). The amount has to be very minimal, as the level in the tank is where it always is.

 

[Sierra1]

I'm thinking that since Yamaha installed a hose to route the "leakage" away from the motor, it HAS to be normal.

 

[WJBertrand]

I’m thinking unless it gets worse, or I am approaching the end of my YES coverage, I’ll leave it be for now.


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[BWC]

Looking at the parts diagram it looks like that drain hose would drain coolant from a failed coolant mechanical seal or the oil seal on the pump shaft where it enters the block so could be either showing out the hose if it’s leaking.
I noticed my coolant drop a small amount recently and the minor leak was found at the bottom of the pumps outer housing by the coolant drain bolt. I normally use 1/4 ratchet for a small bolt like that but at the last coolant change I guess I hadn’t quite tightened it enough and it was leaking at that housing gasket, not the drain bolt. That drain bolt is also used to hold the outer housing of the pump together. Snugged it up and leak gone.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Yep, it's two seals separated by a small void, the fluids won't ever mix. One or the other will come out the hose. Had my shop look at my coolant weep a week before the YES wore out, they replaced the whole pump assembly. Must not be a 'normal' condition.

 

[Mzee]

I have exactly this same condition.

 

[~TABASCO~]

FYI.... If anyone decides to 'fix' they're leaking water pump, I would SUGGEST that you replace the whole pump. They do offer a rebuild kit and Ive tried that before. Its not much less than the whole new pump and WAY easier to install and deal with. The rebuild kit is a PAIN in the butt. The one I helped a fellow Tenere owner with was difficult to install, and then after it was installed he continued to have the same weep 'leak'. He ordered a new pump and we just slapped it in, no issue, no problem, no leak.

FYI

 

[Sierra1]

I'm just going to wait until the weep turns into a full blown tantrum.

 

[Mzee]

I notice some oil on the floor and did a thorough check of the bike. I established that the oil was draining from the two ducts leading from the water pump. Now, as I understand it this duct(s) is suppose to drain water out. But I have oil. On further inspection, I established that the area around the water pump is also covered in some oil oozing from some point.

My bike runs very well, no over heating nothing of the sort except that I have used more oil than is normal. I was under the impression that I had to replace the entire water pump. So I approached those in the know who said all I needed was an o-ring.

In the third diagram I show the parts I need to change. Part number 10, the gasket I replace for obvious reasons and part seven merely out of interest.

Removing the pump and inserting the o-ring, is this a DIY job? Third diagrams are the new parts.

 

[Don in Lodi]

If the leak is in fact motor oil it's the seals on the engine side. If it's coolant it's the waterpump side seals. Pulling the pump off the bike you'll need #20 and #21 as well. I'd replace #8 and #9 while you're in there. That parts fiche doesn't show those seals being available as a kit. That might be why those that have had a leak have replaced the assembly.

 

[Bryce]

Had mine replaced under YES at 13 months and around 10,000 miles.
Just a tiny bit of oil in the skid plate.
They replaced the pump and the new one does the same.
I'm at 42,000miles and 4 years now.
I dont worry about it. I never see any on the floor and wipe it off the skid plate when I change the oil.

 

[Mzee]

If the leak is in fact motor oil it's the seals on the engine side. If it's coolant it's the waterpump side seals. Pulling the pump off the bike you'll need #20 and #21 as well. I'd replace #8 and #9 while you're in there. That parts fiche doesn't show those seals being available as a kit. That might be why those that have had a leak have replaced the assembly.

This is very useful information. I can confirm that it is the oil and not the coolant. I will include # 8 and #9. No harm in doing so.

I wish to ask though because I am not a mechanic but have enough intelligence to take the pump off and put it back, but that it should not require specific technical know-how, e.g., timing, that should require a Yamaha mechanic.

So, if it is merely taking out the parts and replacing them, I should be able to do so? Lodi, your advice.

Thank you forks.

 

[Don in Lodi]

It's been better than a decade since I did the re-seal on my Royal Star's pump. I just remember one of the seals was far more difficult to do than the others. I didn't have the proper sized drivers to do it 'right' so I had to improvise. I think if the whole pump assembly were available to me back then I probably would have gone that route. The whole Tenere pump is only $152 here. Compared to what, $50 in seals? For me time figures in pretty big. Five minutes to swap the pump assembly, or potentially hours trying to drive out/in the seals/bearings without the right tools without damaging anything.

 

[Mzee]

It's been better than a decade since I did the re-seal on my Royal Star's pump. I just remember one of the seals was far more difficult to do than the others. I didn't have the proper sized drivers to do it 'right' so I had to improvise. I think if the whole pump assembly were available to me back then I probably would have gone that route. The whole Tenere pump is only $152 here. Compared to what, $50 in seals? For me time figures in pretty big. Five minutes to swap the pump assembly, or potentially hours trying to drive out/in the seals/bearings without the right tools without damaging anything.

Thanks Lodi.