Driving too much? Waterpump Kaboom!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 6
From: Corvetteville USA
Driving too much? Waterpump Kaboom!
Well, I almost had a major disaster.....
Driving this morning for a scheduled maintenance visit. As I pulled in the parking lot i heard some clanking under the hood.
I stopped the motor and went inside and we took a look. The water pump was in the process of falling apart. I was just on the highway and this could have ended much worse.
The current water pump is not correct for the car. But I have the correct one at the house. I rented a car, drove home, and shipped out the goods. At the same time, I will have the alternator put in, along with the door locks fixed, and the routine maintenance i went in for.
How in the heck does a water pump crap out to the point it is dancing on the motor?
Driving this morning for a scheduled maintenance visit. As I pulled in the parking lot i heard some clanking under the hood.
I stopped the motor and went inside and we took a look. The water pump was in the process of falling apart. I was just on the highway and this could have ended much worse.
The current water pump is not correct for the car. But I have the correct one at the house. I rented a car, drove home, and shipped out the goods. At the same time, I will have the alternator put in, along with the door locks fixed, and the routine maintenance i went in for.
How in the heck does a water pump crap out to the point it is dancing on the motor?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Hey Marc,
Dancing on the motor?? You should have two bolts on each flange, that water pump should be very secure and should not move even if the internals have given out. Any more details?
Dancing on the motor?? You should have two bolts on each flange, that water pump should be very secure and should not move even if the internals have given out. Any more details?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
On one of my '71's, an LS-5 coupe, the water pump exploded into three separate pieces. I heard a loud bang, the hood popped up and a clanking noise. I was doing about 130 mph when this happened, shut the engine off and coasted to a stop. The three hoses still had portions of the water pump attached, the 7 blade fan and clutch went into the radiator, with one of the blades coming off and slicing thru the hood. Upon close inspection I could see rust near the fractured water pump pieces.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 6
From: Corvetteville USA
I do believe and it was pretty obvious much more driving would have had a VERY bad result. Just sharing my experience with my ride.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 6
From: Corvetteville USA
On one of my '71's, an LS-5 coupe, the water pump exploded into three separate pieces. I heard a loud bang, the hood popped up and a clanking noise. I was doing about 130 mph when this happened, shut the engine off and coasted to a stop. The three hoses still had portions of the water pump attached, the 7 blade fan and clutch went into the radiator, with one of the blades coming off and slicing thru the hood. Upon close inspection I could see rust near the fractured water pump pieces.
Thank goodness this didn't happen to my car. And note to MYself...don't drive 130 mph! Nice to know that they will go that fast though.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 6
From: Corvetteville USA
I will certainly check the final reason why the pump went cuckoo....
All I was doing was going in for a regular check and maintenance and ended up leaving the car. I have done a LOT of driving and it shows. It needs a real good cleaning underneath. Getting all the crud and grease out of there. You can see a lot when a car is on the lift, that is for certain!
All I was doing was going in for a regular check and maintenance and ended up leaving the car. I have done a LOT of driving and it shows. It needs a real good cleaning underneath. Getting all the crud and grease out of there. You can see a lot when a car is on the lift, that is for certain!
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 6
From: Corvetteville USA
Maybe the labor costs?
Wow....kinda looks like my waterpump that I am putting in my car. Maybe with a few upgrades but basically same configuration. Interesting!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-2013-Corvette-C6-water-pump-new-take-off-/291134578168?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2010%7CModel%3ACorvette&hash=item43c8f91df8&vxp=mtr
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Well B.V.............if it has to fail.....it certainly picked a good spot!
And you are getting other things repaired.....WIN/WIN!
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And you are getting other things repaired.....WIN/WIN!
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 6
From: Corvetteville USA
Yes this visit has pretty much began the installation phase of my "project" for ncrs. I have a few more items "big stuff" that are available that I plan on purchasing. There are other minor things that I may not get to. But it looks like I entered the next phase.