Water Pump leaking???

[leeroy73]

Hi, problem here, wondering if any of you tec's will be able to give me some advice.

couple of days ago me power steering went all stiff, although i checked the level and it was fine. then all of a sudden about a mile down the road it went back to normal again, then a bit further while turning into a bend it went stiff again, in the morning it started sqeaking at first then went normal. then all of a sudden i noticed a puddle of water on the floor, so i went to a local garage and they only had a quick peek with a trolley jack, the water was driping frm the drivers side of the engine, near the cam shaft housing but right down the bottom, i was wondering if thats the water pump? if that is the case the water could well be dripping onto the power steering belt?? or maybe hopefully! just a hose or clip come loose. if it is the water pump is it a engine out job?? if so is there anything that i could get done while the engine is out? ie: cam belt?
thanks in advance 4 your help.

leeroy

[MX6 addict]

Doing the water pump involves removing the engine mount on the left side (looking from the front of the car), you dont have to take the cambelt off but because of the messing about most people change it at the same time. Its not an engine out job just a knuckel scraper cos of the limited space down that side of the engine. If your other belts havent been changed recently I would replace them as well.

Mark

[Einstein]

Does sound like the pump.. Depending when the belt was changed last, it's worthwhile doing it now.

John