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Why is coolant leaking after replacing my water pump?

I just had my water pump replaced, but now I’m seeing some coolant leaking under my car. Is this normal? Why is coolant leaking after replacing my water pump and what should I do?

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Matt Terzi · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
When a water pump gets replaced, it’s not unusual to have some coolant leaking and for the weep hole to see some seepage. If the leak is small, it could just be from the seal’s break-in period. It could also just be air conditioning condensation, which is more noticeable after having just had some work done on your car.
If the liquid is heavy enough to be concerning though, you should definitely call the mechanic that serviced your car and see if you should take it back for more repairs. If they did a poor job—it happens, unfortunately—it should be on them to replace whatever parts weren’t installed correctly and fix it.
If you replaced your own water pump, make sure everything is connected properly and check the hoses, and be sure you:
  • Flushed the coolant system (a lot of people skip this step, and you really shouldn’t)
  • Used new coolant, rather than using old, dirty coolant
  • Didn’t add sealant to O-rings or gaskets, unless instructed to do so by the manufacturer
  • Fully bled air from the cooling system
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