I have oil on the water pump housing. Should I be looking somewhere else for the cause or is there somewhere that the water pump contacts oil - the upper rubber gasket on the water pump appears to be sticking out a little. The water pump was replaced about 2.5 years ago, just before I bought the car.

Ron
87 745 GLE 260000 km
near Brantford, On, Can

Warning

You are about to run into trouble on two counts: water in the sump (==> goodbye bearings, hello $2,500 engine rebuild), timing belt failure (==> all sorts of havoc on the drivetrain $1,500 head rebuild). Don't let these things go.

sorry about being negative, god luck

Aubrey
89 745 GLE

This is possibly true if you've got the 16 valve engine (from your signature it looks like you do). However the original poster does not. A timing belt failure is not catastrophic, and oil on the water pump is most likely from the cam or i-shaft seal.

- alex

Oil on the outside of the pump is not indicative of water in the oil.
Timing belt failure does no damage to the engine, it will just stop. You have a non interference engine.

Oil from a leaking cam seal or valve cover gasket will run down and appear on the water pump, it will soften the pump's top rubber O gasket and may eventually cause a water leak. Any of the 3 front seals and the rear main seal can leak due to excess crankcase pressure (commonly caused by clogged flame trap). They can also leak due to age and wear.

Sitting on a timing belt will not hurt, they a very robust.
--
David Hunter

Thanks for the re- assurances, and the answers.

Ron

So there is access for water to enter oil through the water pump? Or for oil to leak from the water pump? Would you mind clarifying. Thanks for the warning.

Ron

Sound like the front cam seal,when was the last timing belt change?
--
philvo '86 245 212k,'90 240 197k,'87 SAAB 900 SPG 213k

About 60,000 km (35,000 miles) ago. I will remove the upper timing belt cover an check this. Is this cam seal one that tends to leak with a clogged flame trap or is it a normal wear item? I have a timing belt in a box that I've been carrying around for about a year, one of the kids sat on it and gave it a little twist - do you knoqw if this is an issue?

Ron