Water leak
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
Water leak
I took the vette out today and suddenly it died on me and when I got out of the car, there was a big puddle. Re-started the car since I was only a mile away from home and took the risk while keeping an eye on the temp gauge. Made it home just before the temp gauge hit the red mark. Let her cool down and 2 hours later, I poured water into the rad to find out where the leak was coming from. The lower water pump bolt on the passenger side was like a spicket. Water was spewing out as fast as it goes in. I tightened it and still leaked (didn't even slow it down). Any suggestions on what to do??? I myself was thinking that perhaps I have the wrong bolt there when I changed the water pump. So, I was thinking of either putting a washer or a shorter bolt. I'm not a mechanic so please, any suggestions......Thank you so much
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Are you sure its not coming from the weep hole in the pump shaft?
That hole is put there intentionally to let you know when your water pump bushing is shot.
Small block water pumps arent that costly and are fairly easy to change
That hole is put there intentionally to let you know when your water pump bushing is shot.
Small block water pumps arent that costly and are fairly easy to change
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
Originally Posted by Bob Onit
Are you sure its not coming from the weep hole in the pump shaft?
That hole is put there intentionally to let you know when your water pump bushing is shot.
Small block water pumps arent that costly and are fairly easy to change
That hole is put there intentionally to let you know when your water pump bushing is shot.
Small block water pumps arent that costly and are fairly easy to change
Where exactly is it located? Because I can see the water clear as day coming out from where the bolt is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by 81cali
There's a weep hole???? Where exactly is it located? Because I can see the water clear as day coming out from where the bolt is.
Where exactly is it located? Because I can see the water clear as day coming out from where the bolt is.It's the most common place to have a water pump leak.
If your thinking about changing any gaskets , bolts, ect I would strongly recommend changing out the pump.
If you do decide to change the pump, buy a quality pump..... it's well worth the $$$ for your time and effort
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
How old is the pump?
If its fairly new then just remove it, replace the gaskets and reinstall it
Dont know what else to tell you other than make sure it's leaking at the gasket
Fairly cut and dry procedure
If its fairly new then just remove it, replace the gaskets and reinstall it
Dont know what else to tell you other than make sure it's leaking at the gasket
Fairly cut and dry procedure
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
That's what I was planning to do, replace the gasket and probably add a washer to that particular bolt where it leaks. Pump is brand new, like what I mentioned earlier, about 4 hours of running time on the road.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by 81cali
Pump is brand new, like what I mentioned earlier, about 4 hours of running time on the road.
Anyhow
If your going to replace gaskets and bolts I would suggest running a bottom tap through the bolt holes to insure the holes and threads are clean... replace the gaskets and use the proper lenght bolts... should be easy enough
Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
the water pump gasket has to be put on just right because if it slips down during installation, the gasket area in some areas will be verry small and will be more prone to leak at those areas.
use just a little bit of glue or RTV or something sticky to just lightly attach that gasket to the pump and you will save yourself some headaches down the road.
your bolts are probably fine. don't think you need any extra washers.
getting that gasket on just right is the key. same thing happened to me a few years back.
good luck and i hope this hepls.
Mike.
use just a little bit of glue or RTV or something sticky to just lightly attach that gasket to the pump and you will save yourself some headaches down the road.
your bolts are probably fine. don't think you need any extra washers.
getting that gasket on just right is the key. same thing happened to me a few years back.
good luck and i hope this hepls.
Mike.
