General engine maintainance question

[cfmustang]

This is probably a simple question for you guys, but I thought I would pose it to see what you guys think.

Tonight I was replaceing a old piece of rubber fuel line that connects the metal line to the carb (it was leaking pretty bad every since I pulled the weber) and after the initial spray of fuel (man, I didn't realize there was so much pressure in that line) I noticed a lot of radiator fluid leaking from around where the lower hose goes into the water pump. I couldn't tell if it was the water pumop gasket or the lower hose so I ordered a new lower hose when I picked up the new fuel line.

When I got home, the leak appeard to stop so I replaced the section of fuel line and decided to start it up to make sure the fuel line was fixed. Well, the fuel line was good as new and I noticed that the radiator fluid wasn't leaking either so I let it run a while longer...nothing. I took it for a spirited ride around the block...nothing.

This may sound stupid, but would disconnecting the fuel line cause this? It only seemed to happen when the fuel line was pulled and quickly lost pressure...

 

[WhitePony]

Uhhh... Two words....NO WAY

 

[cfmustang]

I didn't think so, but it was so wierd the way the leak only occured at that time and then stopped completely.

Also, it was a pretty good leak too. Probably about 12 oz of fluid over 5 minutes...

While I am thinking about it. Are there any special hints or tips for replacing that lower hose. It looks like it is pretty well hidden behind the power steering pump.

 

[XFlow_Fairlane]

yeah easy suggestion.....

become a real man and ditch the PS

yeah I am wondering about that as I am going to PS in the fall and with my cross flow radaitor the lower hose I think might be in the way

 

[cfmustang]

It fits, but man is it tight. I'll try and get a picture when I get home from work. You can see the hose, but the PS braket pretty much hides the hose clamp.

Honestly, I have never cared much for the power steering. It is just that the car came with it when I bought it and besides one leaky hose once, has never been a problem so I left it alone.

I just think the assist is too much and you really can't feel the road when driving and it just takes up so much space in the the engine compartment. Space that would be better severed by a turbo or sc someday.

Oh yeah, and it robs power too.

 

[TheDude]

Last night I attempted to replace the two belts on my Mustang (alt+fan belt and the power steering belt). The alternator unbolted as easily as it should so I could lean it towards the engine and remove the belt. The power steering pump caused me more than two hours of trouble. First, I tried to remove that 6 or 7 inch long bolt (that goes through the whole bracket assembly) but I could get it out because it hit the radiator support. I noticed that I did not need to remove that bolt anyway so I moved on to the next bolt over which looks like it bolts to the actual PS reservoir. That bolt is stripped and I cannot fit the Bolt-Out fitting over it because the pulley is in the way. I carved a slot through the head of the bolt with a Dremel tool so I could back the bolt out with a screwdriver. No good, the screwdriver would not fit between the bolt and radiator support. After that I got out my good metal drill bits and drilled a damn hole through the head of the bolt. The plan was (and still is) to insert a metal rod through the hole and back the bolt out by turning the rod. I did not finish last night. I was too tired and out of ideas. Luckily my friend was over last night watching me make an ass of myself. He had a good suggestion which I will try this evening.

All of this for two belts...damn that power steering. I drive without power steering everyday in my daily driver. It is not a problem at all. The only time it is hard to turn the wheel is when the car is at a standstill.

 

[mustang6]

Could you grind down two sides of the bolt so you can get the next smaller size wrench on the shoulders? You could possibly also remove the pulley from the pump if necessary (Requires a puller).

 

[TheDude]

Could you grind down two sides of the bolt so you can get the next smaller size wrench on the shoulders? You could possibly also remove the pulley from the pump if necessary (Requires a puller).

I thought about that but I ended up cutting the belt then unbolting the bracket that connects to the engine block. I got the new belt on and reinstalled everything. I started the engine and everything is fine, except for the carburetor. :roll: Sadly, I do have a bolt with a hole right through the head. I suppose I should replace it. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[gtm1086]

Look very closely at your water pump for the leak. A pump shaft seal that is starting to fail may leak then stop.

 

[Guest]

become a real man and ditch the PS

but my arms hurt when i have to steer



....







just kidding

 

[cfmustang]

Ugh, I hope it isn't the water pump. Judging from the amount of space, it looks like the radiator has to come out to replace tha water pump. I was planning on replaceing the radiator someday, but not yet...