Water pump
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
Water pump
on my L-98 1985
That is where my leak is coming from ! Any imput as to how hard this is ? What needs to be removed ? Plain and simple job ? I may try to snug the bolts a little and see if I can get it to hold off until winter ?
any info would be great !
That is where my leak is coming from ! Any imput as to how hard this is ? What needs to be removed ? Plain and simple job ? I may try to snug the bolts a little and see if I can get it to hold off until winter ?
any info would be great !
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 23
From: Joplin, MO, USA
Snugging the bolts won't help, it's leaking from the bearing, or weep hole. I replaced one on an '88 a couple years ago, the only snag was discovering that I had to unbolt the air conditioner compressor to get it out. I ordered an Edelbrock Performer from Summit, supposed to be better than the GM unit. According to Gordon Killebrew, former GM troubleshooter, they will go out every 50,000 miles just like clockwork, so I wanted to eliminate that-good luck, I spent one evening taking it off, the next putting the new one on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Is it coming from the weep hole? There is one on top and one on the bottom right behind the pulley.The pump has a weep hole by design to let you know when it's time to replace it. If you ignore it, the bearing will fail eventually. I bought a Napa pump for less than $50.
It's a straight forward job. The air crap at the front of the motor is what's going to be in your way more. The air duct, radiator fan, and belt need to be removed. You also will need to unbolt the AC compressor bracket and slide it to the side, because it shares a bolt with the water pump, which requires the fuel rail lines to be undone. The hard to reach bolt near the steering pump can be reached with an open end wrench without having to remove the steering pump like the book calls for.
Use the "Right Stuff" sealant on the gasket, and thread sealant on the bolts. You will reuse the water hose fitting on the side. Put a wrench on it and wack it with a hammer. Now would be a good time to check and replace your hoses as needed.
It's a straight forward job. The air crap at the front of the motor is what's going to be in your way more. The air duct, radiator fan, and belt need to be removed. You also will need to unbolt the AC compressor bracket and slide it to the side, because it shares a bolt with the water pump, which requires the fuel rail lines to be undone. The hard to reach bolt near the steering pump can be reached with an open end wrench without having to remove the steering pump like the book calls for.
Use the "Right Stuff" sealant on the gasket, and thread sealant on the bolts. You will reuse the water hose fitting on the side. Put a wrench on it and wack it with a hammer. Now would be a good time to check and replace your hoses as needed.
Last edited by 86PACER; Aug 18, 2008 at 01:51 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
Upon my first review I thought it was coming from the lower area near the bolts. Ill have to check my weep hole. I guess if its not the weep hole Ill have to decide if I just replace it or not .
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
I bought a Stewart Stage 1 waterpump from www.stewartcomponents.com. Very high quality with big bearings and only $107. Here's a picture of the waterpump.http://www.stewartcomponents.net/Mer...y_Code=ChevyS1
My mechanic installed it for $350 which I thought was a deal since it's a very time consuming job.
Make sure whatever waterpump you buy has a reverse rotation for your serpentine belt setup.
My mechanic installed it for $350 which I thought was a deal since it's a very time consuming job.
Make sure whatever waterpump you buy has a reverse rotation for your serpentine belt setup.
Last edited by GKK; Aug 18, 2008 at 12:34 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Not sure on the '85, but on my '84 it seemed that everything was hooked to that damn Water pump.
It was a job and a half to get everything off....just to remove 4 bolts and break loose.
Power steering, smog pump, A/C compressor, coolant hoses, Thermostat housing............I even had to take off the passenger side Valve cover due to a long bolt holding on the compressor. Every one else said I shouldn't have to do that, but I couldn't see any other way to get that bolt out.
The plus side is that I stopped ONE oil leak in that process!!!
And Yeah, had I been thinking ahead of the game I would have replaced the Timing chain....it is right there once you get the WP off.
It was a job and a half to get everything off....just to remove 4 bolts and break loose.
Power steering, smog pump, A/C compressor, coolant hoses, Thermostat housing............I even had to take off the passenger side Valve cover due to a long bolt holding on the compressor. Every one else said I shouldn't have to do that, but I couldn't see any other way to get that bolt out.
The plus side is that I stopped ONE oil leak in that process!!!
And Yeah, had I been thinking ahead of the game I would have replaced the Timing chain....it is right there once you get the WP off.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
Either way this winter ill be taking the motor apart to shine every thing up
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
Either way this winter ill be taking the motor apart to shine every thing up
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: It's Bad Ass in Black! Cape Coral, Florida
I just did my 85 2 weeks ago. if you get into a jam, p.m. me and I will try and tell you what to do. Take pictures, some bolts are longer than others so keep them in order somehow, and when you pull the air conditioning compressor off, there is a "hidden" bolt right underneath it holding the bracket in place. No need to take any air conditioning hoses off, you can just move them around. Expect 4-6 hours, a couple cold ones, and a cigar or two......I found this link rather helpful.....
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...ump/index.html
I replaced the upper and lower hose, the heater hose, water pump, serpentine belt, new radiator cap, and new antifreeze. ( I flushed system until it came out clear.) I also put in 2 bottles of Red Line Water Wetter. My engine now runs cooler, about 170 degrees most of the time.
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...ump/index.html
I replaced the upper and lower hose, the heater hose, water pump, serpentine belt, new radiator cap, and new antifreeze. ( I flushed system until it came out clear.) I also put in 2 bottles of Red Line Water Wetter. My engine now runs cooler, about 170 degrees most of the time.
Last edited by thecatmac; Aug 18, 2008 at 05:21 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
my waterpump started leaking on my 85 at 113K miles. the leak was at the LH mounting flange. i'm assuming a gasket gave up the ghost. anyway, at that mileage, i replaced the waterpump ane timing chain/gearset. while i was at it, the rubber ring on the harmonic balancer was pretty bad, so replaced the balancer, and rebuilt the belt tensioner. the waterpump was quite a job, since you damn near have to remove everything to get at it. i dropped the oil pan the get to the gearset - suggestion: use a felpro one piece oil pan gasket. i got 113K miles out of the original waterpump, so with that, a replaced it with a new AC delco unit - FWTW 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
Attempted it tonight. Man I cant get the ac our for any thing. Im assuming I have to take it totally off because the bolts are right behind it.?
All the vaccume stuf in the way does not help
Also the bold in the bracket from the rear near the valve cover does this need to come off ?
All the vaccume stuf in the way does not help
Also the bold in the bracket from the rear near the valve cover does this need to come off ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Attempted it tonight. Man I cant get the ac our for any thing. Im assuming I have to take it totally off because the bolts are right behind it.?
All the vaccume stuf in the way does not help
Also the bold in the bracket from the rear near the valve cover does this need to come off ?
All the vaccume stuf in the way does not help
Also the bold in the bracket from the rear near the valve cover does this need to come off ?
I had to remove the cover completely.
also the fuel lines rand through that bracket that holds the A/C. I had to remove the fuel lines to get that bracket out.
I held the A/C to the side with zip ties.
Last edited by jhammons01; Aug 19, 2008 at 01:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
Ok its off, didnt take the valve cover off, and wiggled it out, and i got the bracket off through the gas lines just like in that helpful link that was posted.
In that link the front of the motor is caked in oil, well it is on mine also.. Why is this ?
I decided im going to just replaces the water pump gaskets. Try to make it the next two months, then for winter ill jack this bad boy up to the mooon, and replace all gaskets !
In that link the front of the motor is caked in oil, well it is on mine also.. Why is this ?
I decided im going to just replaces the water pump gaskets. Try to make it the next two months, then for winter ill jack this bad boy up to the mooon, and replace all gaskets !