Water pump leak

[Pittenger5]

2004 CRF250R, noticed a bit of a leak from the water pump. Nothing major few drips, but want to fix it before its a major problem. Typically just a gasket? Anything else I should look for in there.

[Kurlon]

Where is it leaking exactly? If it's from the weep hole, that's a tell tale that the water side seal has failed. If it's around the gasket, well, there's your answer.

[R7]

Where is it leaking exactly? If it's from the weep hole, that's a tell tale that the water side seal has failed. If it's around the gasket, well, there's your answer.

To add to this, in most cases if the water pump seal has failed, it's usually because the water pump shaft/impeller is shot.

[Pittenger5]

Edumicate me on a weep hole? I dont know, it looked like from the gasket, there was just some coolant under the water pump area.

[Awesome]

To add to this, in most cases if the water pump seal has failed, it's usually because the water pump shaft/impeller is shot.

Or if you don't have a good skid plate that protects it, it may have taken a hard hit. I can't remember if I had a solid skid plate on that one. Isn't it an '05? I think I have the COO still.

[Kurlon]

Edumicate me on a weep hole? I dont know, it looked like from the gasket, there was just some coolant under the water pump area.

Usually there is a hole in the water pump cover or crankcase cover that exposes a tiny passage that leads to a spot between the water and oil seals. If you get oil out of the hole, the oil side seal is failing. Coolant, the water side. It's a little tell tale to warn you there is a problem before it gets so bad it wrecks your engine.

[Paul_E_D]

Usually there is a hole in the water pump cover or crankcase cover that exposes a tiny passage that leads to a spot between the water and oil seals. If you get oil out of the hole, the oil side seal is failing. Coolant, the water side. It's a little tell tale to warn you there is a problem before it gets so bad it wrecks your engine.

Which most dirt riders ignore until it wrecks their engine.

[Pittenger5]

To add to this, in most cases if the water pump seal has failed, it's usually because the water pump shaft/impeller is shot.

How do I know if the shaft or impeller is shot, is it possible to see?

Or if you don't have a good skid plate that protects it, it may have taken a hard hit. I can't remember if I had a solid skid plate on that one. Isn't it an '05? I think I have the COO still.

No skid plate, but only ride MX, doubt it took that much of a hit. And its an 04 according to the sticker on the frame.
However if you come across the COO and want to mail it to me, that would be awesome.

[butcher bergs]

How do I know if the shaft or impeller is shot...

Check run out on the shaft and broken fins or other deterioration of the impeller.

After going through some nonsense with my Polaris, my advice is to spend the money, eliminate the hassle and replace all mentioned items...gaskets, seals and all parts associated with coolant circulation.