Hi All
I recently purchased a MK1 2009 Hyundai i30 (FD) Comfort, 5 Door Hatch, 1.4l Petrol, with manual transmission and 109hp.
I have pretty much no mechanical experience, but have recently been trying to learn how to resolve mechanical issues myself. I just made a post about my experiences so far, but it was quite long, so I have made a more brief and specific post here about this specific problem, that will hopefully be easier to respond to.
Shortly after purchasing the i30 I noticed that it seemed to be loosing coolant. I checked the engine and could see that there was white splatter over the engine and underside of the bonnet (to the left of the engine bay as you are facing it), which I now know to be dried engine coolant.
After investigating further I could see a lot of green coolant in the bottom of the lefthand side engine bay (under the Serpentine Belt and pulleys), on the Serpentine Belt, splattered around the water pump, and over the alternator. Its clear that there is a coolant leak somewhere in this area. As far as I am aware (although I may be wrong) the only place coolant can be leaking from around this part of the engine is from the Water Pump if this has developed a fault, possibly from the weep hole. It seems that the water pump may be leaking, dripping coolant onto the Serpentine Belt, which is then being splattered all over the engine. If this is the case then I will have to replace the water pump.
I have had a look on Google to try and find out if this is a difficult job, and to get instructions, but have had little real luck.
It appears that the water pump is on the outside of the engine, just under the water pump pulley, so I am hoping that its a quite simple job that I may be able to complete with my limited mechanical knowledge and experience, consisting of draining the coolant, removing the serpentine belt, removing a few bolts and pulling off the existing water pump, refitting the new water pump, bolting it back together, refitting the serpentine belt, and refilling the coolant, and hopefully we should be up and running.
However I have no idea if this is the case or if it is more complicated than this, and have read a few things about having to remove the engine cover and doing something with the timing chain. This would be beyond my ability, so if this is the case I think I may have to give up, so I hope its not the case.
I would really appreciate it if anyone could advice me as to how difficult a job this is, and if it is as simple as I hope, or if I will need to remove the engine cover and mess with the timing chain. Also if anyone could point me in the direction of any instructions (written or video) to help me with this job it would be really appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any help that anyone may be able to provide.
Matt
