1989 Mercruiser 5.0/alpha water leaking from timing cover.

[Nmcdonald]

I have water leaking from bottom of timing cover. What could cause a leak from inside the cover and is this repair possible without pulling the engine. Any ideas and help would be great Thanks.
Nate

 

[alldodge]

Howdy Nate
I sure hope its not from the back of the timing cover, because this would mean you oil pan is full of water

My thought is the circulating water pump is leaking and its running down the back of it. Could also be anything else above it like, thermostat housing or other

Pull your dipstick and see if your oil is the correct level. If it is, then its not the timing cover

 

[Nmcdonald]

Howdy Nate
I sure hope its not from the back of the timing cover, because this would mean you oil pan is full of water

My thought is the circulating water pump is leaking and its running down the back of it. Could also be anything else above it like, thermostat housing or other

Pull your dipstick and see if your oil is the correct level. If it is, then its not the timing cover

I’m right at the full mark on the dipstick. I just replaced the circ water pump two days ago and it was indeed leaking from the back plate. I replaced and now I don’t see any water leaking down the back. I still have water dropping steadily from bottom of timing cover. I am looking again with lights an mirrors to see if I’m missing something. Any more thoughts before I start disasembling.

 

[alldodge]

With oil being good, its not the block or heads

Thermostat housing, exhaust water hoses, intake crack, exhaust manifold crack

 

[Nmcdonald]

With oil being good, its not the block or heads

Thermostat housing, exhaust water hoses, intake crack, exhaust manifold crack

I took off the circ pump again and cleaned up good. The water quit dripping from the bottom of timing cover. I am trying to get the surface very clean and smooth. Need to get gaskets and sealer. Any recommendations for sealer and process to tighten bolts.
Thanks again

 

[alldodge]

Use permatex aviation sealer
https://www.permatex.com/products/g...rm-a-gasket-no-3-sealant-liquid/?locale=en_us

 

[crazy charlie]

I took off the circ pump again and cleaned up good. The water quit dripping from the bottom of timing cover. I am trying to get the surface very clean and smooth. Need to get gaskets and sealer. Any recommendations for sealer and process to tighten bolts.
Thanks again

What are you cleaning up??? Did you use a new circulator pump?? Tighten you clamps with a socket after you think they are tight with screwdriver.Very common safety practice is to double clamp everything.Very cheap insurance.Charlie

 

[Nmcdonald]

What are you cleaning up??? Did you use a new circulator pump?? Tighten you clamps with a socket after you think they are tight with screwdriver.Very common safety practice is to double clamp everything.Very cheap insurance.Charlie

Cleaned the surface of the circ water pump where the gasket material was still on the block