!@#$@#$ Water pump is leaking
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 5
From: Hayward CA
!@#$@#$ Water pump is leaking
Oh crap!!! I got home yesterday, pulled into the garage and smelled the "fluid of death"......that's right, COOLANT 
I popped the hood, and sure enough.... it's leaking out the weep hole.
However, behind every dark cloud is a ray of sun. Since I need to replace the water pump, I might as well do the opti. And since I'm in that deep, I might as well do the cam...... Ah heck, let's do the heads too (Lloyd Elliot here I come).
Any suggestions on what little/minor parts I need? Gaskets, hoses, etc.....?
Also, who has the most resonable prices?
I popped the hood, and sure enough.... it's leaking out the weep hole. However, behind every dark cloud is a ray of sun. Since I need to replace the water pump, I might as well do the opti. And since I'm in that deep, I might as well do the cam...... Ah heck, let's do the heads too (Lloyd Elliot here I come).
Any suggestions on what little/minor parts I need? Gaskets, hoses, etc.....?
Also, who has the most resonable prices?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 5
From: Hayward CA
Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
yeah mate... that happens...... Forget the cam, just go with 1.6:1 roller rockers. And good valve springs, which youll need anyway if you change cams to a bigger one..... 
I have an LT4.... it came stock with good valve springs and 1.6 rockers
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 5
From: Hayward CA
Originally Posted by Strick
Upgrade the water pump to an electric Meziere HD pump. They don't leak out the weep hole when they fail, if they fail. Check out the tech tips "Meziere Coolant Pump Install"
My only problem with that is when they fail your only warning is overheating. I can deal with the weep hole warning.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by Strick
Upgrade the water pump to an electric Meziere HD pump. They don't leak out the weep hole when they fail, if they fail. Check out the tech tips "Meziere Coolant Pump Install"
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by TM-96CE
My only problem with that is when they fail your only warning is overheating. I can deal with the weep hole warning.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Originally Posted by Strick
I ride with the coolant temp showing. Besides, that is the same arguement guys had when they came out with electric fans and electric fuel pumps. But if you want a warning, there is a circuit you can install that has a buzzer and a light (green light-it's working and Red light- it's not working). One more thing, after you replace the opti because of the coolant leaking on it, I think you'll see the value of the electric pump. If it fails, it's a 30 minute change out.
I had a weatherpack connector issue while sitting on the grid at the track. Fortunately I watch the analog gauge and glanced down to see it heading towards 260*. The digital gauge read about 180* at the time. The analog gauge isn't the greatest since Chevy didn't bother with decent markings much less make it linear, but it's definitely good enough to see a trend. I've since added the warning circuit.
Last edited by 96GS#007; Sep 16, 2005 at 10:46 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by TM-96CE
I have an LT4.... it came stock with good valve springs and 1.6 rockers
hmmm yes indeed you do. Didnt know that sorry mate!! Since you didnt state manual or auto in the post i just automatically asume auto.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 412
Likes: 21
From: Franklin TN
If you go back with the factory or stock water pump, I suggest that you tap and tread the weep hole and attach a rubber hose to it that you can then route around the opti. That way the first sign of a water leak will drop directly on your garage floor or ground, just food for thought.Good luck
Goose, Keep on cruising!!!!
Goose, Keep on cruising!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by 96GS#007
FYI...You can't rely on the digital temp to warn you if the pump has failed. The coolant temp sensor that's used by the digital gauge is in the waterpump housing. If the pump fails, the temp will still read basically "normal". The is because the coolant stops flowing (dead pump = 0 flow) and the coolant in the waterpump housing sits there and doesn't heat up anymore. Meanwhile, your analog gauge which uses the sender located in the cylinder will be pegged.
I had a weatherpack connector issue while sitting on the grid at the track. Fortunately I watch the analog gauge and glanced down to see it heading towards 260*. The digital gauge read about 180* at the time. The analog gauge isn't the greatest since Chevy didn't bother with decent markings much less make it linear, but it's definitely good enough to see a trend. I've since added the warning circuit.
I had a weatherpack connector issue while sitting on the grid at the track. Fortunately I watch the analog gauge and glanced down to see it heading towards 260*. The digital gauge read about 180* at the time. The analog gauge isn't the greatest since Chevy didn't bother with decent markings much less make it linear, but it's definitely good enough to see a trend. I've since added the warning circuit.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by TM-96CE
Anyone have a p/n for the Meziere HD pump??
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=231&TopicID=2
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: Pensacola Fl
Simple quesiton
I was just reading all of the posts and have a similar leak issue with my 88 vette. My question is what are you guys talking about when you say "opti." I was not sure if you guys were talking about LT1, LT4, or L98, I obviously have a L98, do i need to be concerned about the coolant leaking onto the "opti" on the L98.
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by jordanpingrey
I was just reading all of the posts and have a similar leak issue with my 88 vette. My question is what are you guys talking about when you say "opti." I was not sure if you guys were talking about LT1, LT4, or L98, I obviously have a L98, do i need to be concerned about the coolant leaking onto the "opti" on the L98.
Thanks
Thanks