I just changed the water pump in my 745 turbo on November 19th, just about 2 and a half weeks ago. New, genuine Volvo pump. When installing the pump I was very careful to avoid lifting up on the pulley, only on the housing. Adjusted the belt to be to Volvo spec, per owner's manual, 1/4" to 3/8" deflection when pressing on belt. Because of the short life time of the last pump, about 1 year, I then decided to loosen the belt tension slightly, so now I have about 3/8" to just over 1/2" deflection. That is taken between the power steering pulley and the fan pulley.

But, on inspection today, there is clearly seepage from the lower weep hole, a thin trail that runs down the lower webbing fin to the bolt at the bottom of the pump.

Everything else is fine, and the car runs as smooth as a Swiss watch, or, if you prefer, a Swedish/Belgian (it was made in Ghent, Belgium) watch. No cooling leaks anywhere, slow to build pressure in cooling system on start up, holds pressure for hours after shut down (less so when it is colder out), no oil in water, no water in oil, runs smooth and strong, etc. Uses about 1 quart of oil every 2500 miles!!!

This can't be normal, can it? Have any of you had similar problems with the Volvo water pumps lately, is it possibly a manufacturing defect or something?
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Scott Cook - 1991 745T, 1986 Toyota Tercel (Don't laugh, it is reliable, faithful AND gets 41 mpg!)