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I think I broke something

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Old Jul 5, 2007 | 11:51 PM
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Default I think I broke something

I was taking out my AC compressor, which came out pretty easily, then I tried to take out the front bracket that was attached to the water pump. I started backing out the bolts and it started leaking coolant. So I tightened the bolt back up and moved on to the exhaust manifold.

After I got the manifolds off without an issue(very suprisingly) I had a party to go to. When I came back there was a large pool of coolant laying on the floor. But the bolts are tight for the water pump. So could I have broken some kind of seal or something to cause this massive leak? I am really tryin to avoid taking apart the whole front of the engine apart to find the leak. So any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 12:30 AM
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Originally Posted by danboback
I was taking out my AC compressor, which came out pretty easily, then I tried to take out the front bracket that was attached to the water pump. I started backing out the bolts and it started leaking coolant. So I tightened the bolt back up and moved on to the exhaust manifold.

After I got the manifolds off without an issue(very suprisingly) I had a party to go to. When I came back there was a large pool of coolant laying on the floor. But the bolts are tight for the water pump. So could I have broken some kind of seal or something to cause this massive leak? I am really tryin to avoid taking apart the whole front of the engine apart to find the leak. So any help would be greatly appreciated.
If you backed out all 4 bolts to the water pump, more than likely the gasket broke, Were all drive belts loose when you loosened the water pump bolts? Did you tighten them up evenly, a little at a time?

Last edited by c3 in hawaii; Jul 6, 2007 at 12:37 AM.
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 12:46 AM
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I only loosened 2 of them, one came almost all the way out, the only 1 turn. Because thats when I heard it leaking.

The alternator belt and the power steering belt were still attached.
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 01:01 AM
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Originally Posted by danboback
I only loosened 2 of them, one came almost all the way out, the only 1 turn. Because thats when I heard it leaking.

The alternator belt and the power steering belt were still attached.
If you still had tension on the 2 belts, that may have been enough to pull on the water pump and break the gasket on the a/c bracket side.
that can be the only explanation. Is the leak coming from that area? I don't think there would have been enough stress to crack the pump.
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 09:18 AM
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Is there a gasket just for the water pump or is it the whole front of the engine?
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 10:04 AM
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the water pump has it's own gaskets, one for each side.
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 10:04 AM
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The exact same thing happened to me when removing the air-con compressor. Where the air-con bracket attached using a common bolt with the water pump I had to put like 6 suitably sized washers on that bolt so it didn't bottom out.

Tightened it all up and have had no problems or leaks since

and I didn't need to change any gaskets.

But when removing the bracket, as has already been mentioned, take tension off all belts attaching to the water pump and it won't tend to leak as much.

Last edited by cosmicvette; Jul 6, 2007 at 10:10 AM.
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 10:07 AM
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Put a bucket under it to catch the coolant and go ahead and change both waterpump gaskets. Put some silicone rtv on the bolts when you put them back in, they go into the waterjacket and will leak if you don't seal them.
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 01:19 PM
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Thanks so much guys. Too bad I sprained my wrist last night so the vette will have to wait until I heal up. Thanks again.
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 06:50 PM
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Well I couldn't just sit around, so I got to work. I took the pump off, cleaned everything up and sealed it back up again. I haven't filled it back up with coolant yet, but I can start the engine until I get the headers on So hopefully this is the end of the leak. Thanks
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