The DeLorean has two accessory v-drive belts. The inner one drives the alternator and the water pump; the outer one drives the A/C compressor.
The alternator belt tension is adjusted with a sliding alternator bracket. The compressor belt has a separate idler system that has a slotted bracket and long bolt to adjust its tension. The idler pulley bearings are prone to wear out and should be changed at the first hint of noise from them.
The water pump is a very sturdy unit, but has been known to wear out. It will make a wobbling sound if the bushings are bad. The only place a Delorean water pump will leak is from the weep hole that is immediately behind the pulley at six o'clock, i.e., pointed down. You will need either to lie down under the rear of the car with a flashlight and look straight up at the water pump or get a mirror on a stick to see it. Any other leak from the water pump area will be a split hose or loose clamp on one of the four hoses that are associated with the water pump, or the two large hoses on on the left and right sides of the water pump.
There are coolant hoses routed under the intake manifold that are practically inaccessible without removing the manifold itself. If coolant is running from underneath the water pump, from between the cylinder banks, it is most likely coming from one of the two hoses that connect to the back of the pump. The lesson is to tighten these hose clamps fully when replacing the water pump. You don't want to go back.
By Warren Wallingford, DMC (Texas)
Article ID: 39, Created On: 11/16/2010, Modified: 5/3/2011