Nearly died... stupid water pump
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 108
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From: conroe texas
Nearly died... stupid water pump
I was traveling down the beltway, weh n my car starts decelerating, i'm loosing oil pressure, and my temperature shoots through the roof. So, i'm forced to pull over, but since theres no shoulder i'm dodging traffic and nearly get hit several times while i call a tow truck. WHen its safe, i look under the hook and can clearly see that my water pump is blown and theres radiator fluid all over the place. There also water dripping out from underneath here. ANyways, its getting looked at soon. Do you guys know what could have caused this? 
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 558
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From: Dallas TX
A small animal trying to take shelter between your fan and radiator, sitting on the fan shroud? I've killed 2 cats that way. The engine starts up, and they get scared, so they make a run for it through the fan, but never succeed. It kinda sucks. Poor kitties.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 108
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From: conroe texas
Damn, sorry about the kitties. I doubt it was that for me, since i was driving for about an hour before anything happened. The cars in the shop getting the pump replaced. Thanks for the kittie story 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
Originally Posted by killerbulldoggy
I was traveling down the beltway, weh n my car starts decelerating, i'm loosing oil pressure, and my temperature shoots through the roof. So, i'm forced to pull over, but since theres no shoulder i'm dodging traffic and nearly get hit several times while i call a tow truck. WHen its safe, i look under the hook and can clearly see that my water pump is blown and theres radiator fluid all over the place. There also water dripping out from underneath here. ANyways, its getting looked at soon. Do you guys know what could have caused this?
So.... your water pump flatlined, Insh'Allah. Get it? I hope this helps and brings you inner peace...
have I been here too long?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Originally Posted by killerbulldoggy
I doubt it was that for me, since i was driving for about an hour before anything happened.
), I bet it smells something awful after a couple of warm days?!The water pump could just be old & tired. The pump on mine went a couple of years back, it was just old & gave up the fight, but it did get me home. They get quite a hard life when you think about it, especially when people tighten the belts too much. I pulled a failed one out of a Saab once & took it apart (I must have been particularly bored at the time). The impeller had corroded so badly that it was just a small, odd shaped lump of metal, it was hard to see how it worked at all. Another good reason to run antifreeze.
have I been here too long?
Last edited by UKPaul; Jul 16, 2004 at 06:19 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by Steve Straus
siezed pump bearing/shaft, impeller disintegration. Some newer replacement water pumps have these cheap stamped impellers instead of cast iron ones. Eventuallly they just fly apart.
In an odd sort of way you are a bit lucky--had one that came apart and the fan blade went completely through the radiator--parts flew around the engine bay and made a few other "little problems"--glad you are OK--new pump, fresh antifreeze/distilled water, maybe a new thermostat while you are at it, possibly new heater hoses and she'll be good for a lot more smiles
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Behind the wheel of a large automobile
Originally Posted by Jasonty
A small animal trying to take shelter between your fan and radiator, sitting on the fan shroud? I've killed 2 cats that way. The engine starts up, and they get scared, so they make a run for it through the fan, but never succeed. It kinda sucks. Poor kitties.
Nothing good can come from that. Unless, of course, you catch the cat dead center ... that way when rigormortice (sp?) sets in you've got a unique set of book ends.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 108
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From: conroe texas
Got some bad news. Apparently the engine was soo hot, that the heats warped and are now no good. The shop is cahrging me approx 1300 dollars to replace them. What do you guys think i should do? Are changing heads that difficult that a kid like myself could do? or should i just ... let the shop deal with it. The only problem with teh shop doing it is its way too much money for me to spend right now. i'm so depressed 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 108
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From: conroe texas
NO, i havent been back to the shop. The guy told me that the heads were warped and that the gaskets had melted to the engine block. Of course, theres no way for me to test to see if theyre lying. God, does anybody know of a pair of good cheap heads for a small block l-82 350? The guy at teh shop also says that the engine could be damaged and i would need a new one. ..... 
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,997
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From: WAY DEEP INSIDE AMERICO,YES YOU LIVE HERE TO!! TX
Originally Posted by saudivette
Muslims believe that Allah makes all the decisions, about everything, for everyone, all the time. They refer to this as Insh'Allah which literally translates to mean "if God wills it".
So.... your water pump flatlined, Insh'Allah. Get it? I hope this helps and brings you inner peace...
have I been here too long?
So.... your water pump flatlined, Insh'Allah. Get it? I hope this helps and brings you inner peace...
have I been here too long?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Originally Posted by killerbulldoggy
God, does anybody know of a pair of good cheap heads for a small block l-82 350? The guy at teh shop also says that the engine could be damaged and i would need a new one. .....
And no, your mechanic isn't lying to you. You said you saw your oil pressure drop, so you very well could have lost a journal.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 108
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From: conroe texas
The guy managed to change the water pump and then start the engine. But he said that water began to spray quite a bit, although i'm not sure where. Any suggestions on what could possibly be wrong with the motor?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
For about $1500 you can get a long block LM1 eng with about 270 hp after a cam swap, I did the cam swap before install resusing the stock lifters and summit 204/214 cam but would got the 214/224 cam if had do over, no change to the stock heads on the LM1 needed for either cam. Prolly get near 300 hp with the larger cam (with headers of course).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 997
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From: Click Avatar for Contact Info
Originally Posted by killerbulldoggy
The guy told me that the heads were warped and that the gaskets had melted to the engine block. Of course, theres no way for me to test to see if theyre lying. God, does anybody know of a pair of good cheap heads for a small block l-82 350? The guy at teh shop also says that the engine could be damaged and i would need a new one. .....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia
Originally Posted by killerbulldoggy
...he said that water began to spray quite a bit, although i'm not sure where.
If this guy managed to start it, what did it run like?
If the heads are buggered, they are reasonably easy to change. You'll need a decent socket set, a torque wrench and and an engine book for the tightening sequence and the torque values.
I'm still sus though, melted head gaskets and water spraying everywhere
Get this guy to show you...
