Waterpump Done?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,385
Likes: 4
From: King George VA
Waterpump Done?
I went out started my car drop it about a mile and parked came back out and a hugh puddle underneath the car. I open the hood and alot of fluid is coming out the water pump. Its not the standard drip here and drip there. Its coming out alot. Could it be the flex in weather cause it to pour out like this? Its 32 right now and I waited for it warm up on its own and it does this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 62
From: Columbia SC
I just did mine last week. My WP on the 96 vert was starting to seep from the weep hole on the back of the WP. Ordered a new AC Delco WP. Drain all the fluid to include the knock sensors on the bottom of the block. When you take of the heater hoses you will get more fluid from them. The hardest part I had was getting the gaskets to stay in place while putting the new WP in place. Overall not a hard project at all. Also I am no master machenic, I am a weekend shadetree type with the factory manual and not afraid to try most projects. Good luck and keep us posted.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
And although the info's in your profile, it's always good to post year of car and engine type, etc. for a tech question. If you can think of any info that could possibly be pertinent, it probably is. Some folks who may have helped will just move on when the most basic of information is not supplied.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,385
Likes: 4
From: King George VA
The leak slowed down to the point where it sometimes stops. I checked all the hoses and they are all dry. I dont see wear on them so I dont think its that. Only thing it could be maybe is the gaskets that seal it to the block. Otherwise its coming from the center of the pump bottom which is the weep whole area. Its hard to get under my car to watch it with a good view.
I have the new pump and Ill put it in today. About how long is the job? Ive done between 20-30 pumps but not on a vette. 1-2 hours?
Thanks for input!
I have the new pump and Ill put it in today. About how long is the job? Ive done between 20-30 pumps but not on a vette. 1-2 hours?
Thanks for input!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I did mine (1996) several months ago. Not too bad a job. I think, as I remember, it took a few hours. Before you tackle this job, make sure its the water pump and not a broken hose.
AutoZone can pressureize the radiator cap and you will see where the coolant is coming from.
Good luck.
AutoZone can pressureize the radiator cap and you will see where the coolant is coming from.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,385
Likes: 4
From: King George VA
No I havent I dont know to much about vette setup yet my first one. Can I see them in the open or do I have to take waterpump off anyway to see.
This all started after I went thru a pressure washer. I know the immortal sin of our cars. The weatherstripping and opti held up fine but I guess some flexing happened and cause a seal to fail.
Any background on pressure washes that cause damage to our cars beside opti?
This all started after I went thru a pressure washer. I know the immortal sin of our cars. The weatherstripping and opti held up fine but I guess some flexing happened and cause a seal to fail.
Any background on pressure washes that cause damage to our cars beside opti?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,385
Likes: 4
From: King George VA
Ok I have another possibity Im not sure. My steering has been feeling weird lately. As in it feels like I dont have any or shutters at stops or low speeds. It acts up basically.
The only reason I put this with the water pump issue is that Im losing orange fluid( my antifreeze) Well the powersteering is also a orange-ish color. I think I have two issues or maybe just the power steering. Question is: Is there anything behind or near enough to the waterpump that will cause the liquid to seem like its coming from the waterpump.
This liquid is thin like antifreeze but with the heat could the powersteering thin out to a antifreeze look.
Thanks guys
The only reason I put this with the water pump issue is that Im losing orange fluid( my antifreeze) Well the powersteering is also a orange-ish color. I think I have two issues or maybe just the power steering. Question is: Is there anything behind or near enough to the waterpump that will cause the liquid to seem like its coming from the waterpump.
This liquid is thin like antifreeze but with the heat could the powersteering thin out to a antifreeze look.
Thanks guys
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 5
From: Howard PA
Don't worry too much about the opti on a 96, hell I've pressure washed mine twice with no ill effects. This before I knew anything about the car though, I only had it about three months and two of those were in storage.
The WP isn't a terribly hard job, one thing I might recommend though is a new ECT sensor when you do it. I have feeling these things are going south or just getting corroded up changing the readings from it, in a bad way.
The WP isn't a terribly hard job, one thing I might recommend though is a new ECT sensor when you do it. I have feeling these things are going south or just getting corroded up changing the readings from it, in a bad way.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,385
Likes: 4
From: King George VA
Yeah Im running a request chit to get a day off so I can do it at a hobbie shop. Either way I got a new water pump so thats one less thing on my mind. Should I go to a 170 thermo or stay with a 180?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,385
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From: King George VA
I finished the install the temp is running about 204-ish, the outside temp is like 40s, is that a ok temp?
The install was easy but some steps were a PITA. It took me 2 1/2 hours. The hardest part was the bolt behind the tensioner pully beacause the electrical wires were resting on it and kept getting in the way of the tool getin in. All in all its done thats all that matters.
The install was easy but some steps were a PITA. It took me 2 1/2 hours. The hardest part was the bolt behind the tensioner pully beacause the electrical wires were resting on it and kept getting in the way of the tool getin in. All in all its done thats all that matters.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 5
From: Howard PA
Just out of curiosity, does your digital temp readout match your gauge fairly close? If not by how much are they off?
I guess 204 is OK, some think we should high temps all the time for maximum engine life and power. But we haven't established how high yet. However much that makes sense?
I usually ran 197 fairly consistently unless stopped then it would climb right up to 230 and the fans would turn on. However when the digital was 230 the analog was usually pegged or over 250.
This is why I'm curious as to how close yours match each other.
I run a 160 t-stat now and with reprogramming the fans I NEVER see over 197.
I don't know why people say the gaskets are so hard to get in, I just glue the gaskets to the block with some Permatex High Tack gasket adhesive. Good to go.
I guess 204 is OK, some think we should high temps all the time for maximum engine life and power. But we haven't established how high yet. However much that makes sense?
I usually ran 197 fairly consistently unless stopped then it would climb right up to 230 and the fans would turn on. However when the digital was 230 the analog was usually pegged or over 250.
This is why I'm curious as to how close yours match each other.
I run a 160 t-stat now and with reprogramming the fans I NEVER see over 197.
I don't know why people say the gaskets are so hard to get in, I just glue the gaskets to the block with some Permatex High Tack gasket adhesive. Good to go.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 921
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From: Houston TX
My 85's in storage. I started it up for 10 minutes to charge the battery and the same thing happened. A huge river of antifreeze came out (it was very alarming). I put insurance back on it, filled it with water and drove it to a nearby CarX. The repair cost $350 and it's good as new. Since it was insured for the day, I took a nice spin around the cities. Man, that felt great. Anyway, I'm glad the waterpump failed where it did insted of out in the wilderness somewhere.