Coolant leaking from the water pump seems to be a common problem for the 97 ZRT''S. I have had this problem myself on my 97 powder extreme.
When I looked at the water pump after a ride I usually had a lot of antifreeze on the plate in the area under the pump.
When I finally removed the cover from the water pump housing I discovered that the cover most likely has a fabrication fault. By the aid of a ruler I discovered that the inside of the cover is not plane, i.e. the top of the walls defining the channel for the o-ring are not lying in a plane. It is the inner wall of the botton of the cover (in the sector between two of the bolt holes) that is to high, and thereby causing the the cover to ride on the top of said wall when it is attached to the housing. This of also the part from where the coolant seems to be coming from. You could say that it is more of the top of the said wall part that lying sealingly against the housing than of the o-ring.
I carefully grinded the exessive goods of the top of the wall by the aid of a ordinary file.
Further, it is not necessary to completely lift the motor off the sled to release the cover. I simply raised the motor a little in the front, using pieces of wood stuffed under the motor. The screws to the cover are most likely stucked. They can easily be damaged, so be careful. I used a impact driver to release them and then a screw driver which fittet exactly into the slot.
Good luck
Lars-Eric
Skellefteå, Sweden
When I looked at the water pump after a ride I usually had a lot of antifreeze on the plate in the area under the pump.
When I finally removed the cover from the water pump housing I discovered that the cover most likely has a fabrication fault. By the aid of a ruler I discovered that the inside of the cover is not plane, i.e. the top of the walls defining the channel for the o-ring are not lying in a plane. It is the inner wall of the botton of the cover (in the sector between two of the bolt holes) that is to high, and thereby causing the the cover to ride on the top of said wall when it is attached to the housing. This of also the part from where the coolant seems to be coming from. You could say that it is more of the top of the said wall part that lying sealingly against the housing than of the o-ring.
I carefully grinded the exessive goods of the top of the wall by the aid of a ordinary file.
Further, it is not necessary to completely lift the motor off the sled to release the cover. I simply raised the motor a little in the front, using pieces of wood stuffed under the motor. The screws to the cover are most likely stucked. They can easily be damaged, so be careful. I used a impact driver to release them and then a screw driver which fittet exactly into the slot.
Good luck
Lars-Eric
Skellefteå, Sweden