91 VN1500A oil in water (Water pump seals?)

[Qbertstinkypatc]

Hey all,
Read lots of good input on this site. Thanx! Been a while since I posted
Here is the deal, on my 91 VN1500A (trying to resurrect…) I stopped riding cuz of electrical and over heating problems. Yesterday, I drained all the fluids out and in the oil, there was a few drops of coolant. When I pulled the plug on the radiator, well quite a bit more.. from what I can estimate about an ounce.  But I think my saving grace was that there was no foam, or what appeared to be mixing or blending together.

Now I know Kawi’s have issues with the water pump seal and this can happen so I pulled the radiator, and water pump cover. The impellor was free spinning on the shaft when the bolt was tight and the shaft has a little movement up, down, side to side. Should the impellor free spin on the shaft? Doesn’t seem right.

When I pulled the impellor and pressed the spring back a little oil seeped out. (I believe that this is my fluid “Cross-over” point).

Also I heard that there was some type of a recall on a piece of plastic that when it breaks down oil will not get to the top of the motor correctly? I cannot find specifically what it was? Any ideas? How can I find if it was done prior to me owning it if I cannot get a hold of the person I got it from?

Any input would be cool or to tell me that im crazy to try to fix her..

Later Qbert

[cosmicsclassic]

OK , I'm not a 1500 owner, Ive got a 800, simular, The impellor should not "free spin" on the shaft, it should be solidly attached. Are you sure the shaft is not turning? On the early 1500 the oil pump gear is plastic (this is the plastic peice you refered too) when they break you lose oil pressure (was your oil lite on? ) , the water pump is driven off the oil pump so if the gear breaks neither pump works (and can free spin, shaft and all). TO replace this gear the engine must be split in half, althou I have heard of a two peice aftermarket gear that can be installed saving this hassle. Next, water and oil mixing, I don't beleive they can mix in the water pump location because there is a drain port, if water seal or oil seal, or both, leaked it would drip on the ground out threw this port, not stay internal, I would guess, do to the overheating, you've got a leaking (blown)head gasket. I hope this helps and a 1500 owner can shed more light, good luck.

[ispeed77]

Qbert

as mentioned above, the POG, plastic oil gear i believe is most likely the recall you are talking about. and i agree, the shaft should not spin independent of the pump. i don't personally know anything about the POG, but if you do a search for it in here or in the cruiser section you should be able to come up with whatever info you need. good luck !