After reading on this forum, as well as a couple more, I have come to the conclusion that my water pump gasket is leaking out of the weeping hole. But...I have also read that it is a problem that should be fixed by the "experts" at a dealership.
So I have 2 questions:
1. How much does this usually cost?
2. (more Important) Can I do it myself? (has anybody else done it)
Thanks

 

so you need a water pump then? isn't that where the wheep hole is

 

I did mine with no special tools. I can't remember the cost of the seal, but it was much cheaper for me to do it myself (98 Sportsman 500).

 

If it's leaking out of the weep hole water pump is bad, Easy to change.

 

it is probably the mechanical seal. you can do it without their special tool, but if you scratch or mess up the impeller shaft, you'll have to disassemble the whole engine to replace the shaft. I took mine completely apart and then took the machine to the dealer-- they charged me $20 to pull the old one and push the new one in-- all in the back of the truck. I guess I escaped under $100 because the parts were $40. It took them about 10 minutes.

Ask your local dealer if they can do something similar. The special tool is around $165. .... I hear the twin cylinder models have a mechanical seal that can be replaced with no special tools.... anyone else heard that?