What is this hole in my water pump?

Once I got everything out of the way I found that my water pump is not leaking at a bolt. It appears to be leaking at a 1/4 in diameter hole in the bottom of the water pump. It's a perfectly round hole and a 1/4 in bolt slides in easily. It looks like it is supposed to be there. There is a sectional diagram of the water pump in the service manual that show what I think is this hole. So, the question is, if coolant is coming out of this hole does that tell me that the seals have failed? The manual says, "Do not disassemble the water pump; it is serviceable only as an assembly." From this I deduce that I have to replace the water pump. Is that right? O'Reilly gave me a price of $46.99 and say they can have it tomorrow.

 

Commonly referred to as a bleed or weep hole. As you suspect the seal has failed and it needs to be replaced.
Great minds think alike :iagree:. Or two guys with nothing better to do .

 

Thanks for confirming that for me. The replacement pump will be here tomorrow.