Hrmm... Dropped the oil pan plug in the FD on the way to work today. Noticed oil pressure was dropping and pulled over only to notice a rainbow trail behind my car leading up to where I was parked. At first I thought I must have lost an oil cooler clip or burst an oil line but a new plug and 3.5 quarts of new oil later... everything is still ok (except for my water pump which started going a few days prior).

The water pump thing is weird though. The water loss rate is so slow that I'm amazed I even picked up on it. With the car running, I see a single drop of water fall from the water pump once every 1 minute 22 seconds. Based on that and a few other things I've ruled the FD safe to continue to drive until my new water pump gets here which is supposed to be either tomorrow or monday.

 

Whew! Now that's a close call. You are damn lucky to still have that engine!

 

I would be VERY cautious with the water pump failing. Once they start to go, they go soon. If you *have* to drive the car, just drive it easy and don't romp on it, and be prepared to pull over and shut it down if that coolant buzzer goes off.

Dale

 

Full aware... Big thanks for the warning though.

I went through countless cooling issues with my last motor. And no I don't *have* to drive the FD, I have other cars but I'd rather drive the FD. I pay close attention to my car which is how I caught both the oil pressure loss and the water pump. Definately not something I'd ever recommend to anyone else but I don't even use the radio in my car so first sign of an odd sound comming from anywhere and I notice it instantly.