Intermittent water pump leak???

[Jeff J]

98 Altima GXE

I noticed a small puddle of coolant on the passenger side underneath the compressor (a little in front of it). I didn’t have time to check it out. Now, I can’t seem to replicate the leak. Have you ever seen a water pump leak intermittently? What should I do now? What until I see the leak again?

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[Jason Gordon]

I can’t speak for your exact model, but often times a weep hole is built into the bottom of the water pump. Many water pumps will provide this to show an early development of a seal leak. This is a preemptive sign of water pump wear and or seal failure. While your system is hot or under pressure, fluid will leak out, but once the engine cools it will stop. This is the beginning of this symptom. Will only get worse as the pump gets older. Hope this helps.

[George Gallen]

Are you sure it wasn’t there before you parked?

[hondaguy453]

I recommend that you pressure test the cooling system. If there is a leak, you will find it with that. What I’m wondering is if it’s PAG oil from the a/c compressor. The oil kinda also looks like coolant because it’s it’s greenish yellow but doesn’t smell sweet.

[Author]

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