350 Waterpump Leak Question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
350 Waterpump Leak Question
Guys,
I get 3 teaspoons of antifreeze on the floor right underneath the hormonic balancer. I can not find where it's coming from. I thought it was the heater hose outlet on th pump, nope. It not leaking at the block or the pump.
It happens when the car is shut off and left overnight. I tried pressure testing it and I get no drips.
I know some of you will read this and think I'm crasy about a teaspoon of antifreeze but it is driving me crasy that I don't know were it coming from.
I get 3 teaspoons of antifreeze on the floor right underneath the hormonic balancer. I can not find where it's coming from. I thought it was the heater hose outlet on th pump, nope. It not leaking at the block or the pump.
It happens when the car is shut off and left overnight. I tried pressure testing it and I get no drips.
I know some of you will read this and think I'm crasy about a teaspoon of antifreeze but it is driving me crasy that I don't know were it coming from.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
But as said before, the chances are that you will see a trickle from the weep hole under the bottom of the pump shaft.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
I always try to stay with OEM parts...in this case that would be Delco. Over the years, I found that after market stuff just doesn't last like the originals. Just my 2 cents.
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Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
Correct me if I'm wrong, as I have been MANY times.
He said he gets the teaspoon when the car sits overnight. Weep hole usually only leaks when the cat is running.
I had the same thing with my cat and I thought it was the weep hole... it pressure tested OK. But what I found was that it was a slow leak from the water pump gasket. It would trickle down then engine slowly and I woulnt be able to see where it was comming from. I would get the same teaspoon under my car overnight. I finally pulled the pump to find the gasket was the culprit.
So I would reccoment changing those gaskets as a cheap fix/check, before spending the money on a new pump.
Make sure those hoses are OK too.
He said he gets the teaspoon when the car sits overnight. Weep hole usually only leaks when the cat is running.
I had the same thing with my cat and I thought it was the weep hole... it pressure tested OK. But what I found was that it was a slow leak from the water pump gasket. It would trickle down then engine slowly and I woulnt be able to see where it was comming from. I would get the same teaspoon under my car overnight. I finally pulled the pump to find the gasket was the culprit.
So I would reccoment changing those gaskets as a cheap fix/check, before spending the money on a new pump.
Make sure those hoses are OK too.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Correct me if I'm wrong, as I have been MANY times.
He said he gets the teaspoon when the car sits overnight. Weep hole usually only leaks when the cat is running.
I had the same thing with my cat and I thought it was the weep hole... it pressure tested OK. But what I found was that it was a slow leak from the water pump gasket. It would trickle down then engine slowly and I woulnt be able to see where it was comming from. I would get the same teaspoon under my car overnight. I finally pulled the pump to find the gasket was the culprit.
So I would reccoment changing those gaskets as a cheap fix/check, before spending the money on a new pump.
Make sure those hoses are OK too.
He said he gets the teaspoon when the car sits overnight. Weep hole usually only leaks when the cat is running.
I had the same thing with my cat and I thought it was the weep hole... it pressure tested OK. But what I found was that it was a slow leak from the water pump gasket. It would trickle down then engine slowly and I woulnt be able to see where it was comming from. I would get the same teaspoon under my car overnight. I finally pulled the pump to find the gasket was the culprit.
So I would reccoment changing those gaskets as a cheap fix/check, before spending the money on a new pump.
Make sure those hoses are OK too.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
shaft is ok and not leaking from weep hole for what I can see. I think there is a crack in the casting. Would the pump leak once it cools or would it leak like a siv when hot?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
It will leak more when the engine is off than when the engine is running since the coolant is circulating when the engine is turning the pump. You'll have more pressure on the coolant immediately after the engne is turned off and the heat builds into the coolant. My 3 suspions for your leak in order are (1) waer pump as the others have suggested (2) hose near the pump or (3) a remote chance that you have a cracked block or head...very remote IMO. I'd ditch the pump and hoses and be done with it. Again IMO
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 2
From: rockwall tx
bearing are going bad in the water pump neck. make sure when you get a replacement that its for a vette or you want be able to see the timing tab under the water pump. vette water pump sits a little taller that a standard chevy water pump.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Wipe everything down...pump,hose conections etc..start engine and warm it up till thermostat opens......then shut engine down and check hose connections with your hand...if your upper rad hose connection is weeping,coolant runs down on a-arm...if upper hose leaks at thermostat housing,it can run down below pump and/or puddle on intake...it could be lower hose connection to pump or heater hose connections to intake/pump........also,you can jack front end up,and observe from underneath...check freeze plugs on either side of pump on block just in case..
Rich
Rich
Last edited by rihwoods; Dec 22, 2006 at 01:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
Wipe everything down...pump,hose conections etc..start engine and warm it up till thermostat opens......then shut engine down and check hose connections with your hand...if your upper rad hose connection is weeping,coolant runs down on a-arm...if upper hose leaks at thermostat housing,it can run down below pump and/or puddle on intake...it could be lower hose connection to pump or heater hose connections to intake/pump........also,you can jack front end up,and observe from underneath...check freeze plugs on either side of pump on block just in case..
Rich
Rich
I have looked for leaks, motor only has 2500 miles on it. you can eat off of it. I don't see any drip marks. I think i'm just going to put a new pump on it. Oh what the heck already got 40K in it. What $100 more
Last edited by spedaleden; Dec 22, 2006 at 03:48 PM.
