Anyone that guesses this one is really good,

I stopped by a friends house this morning stoped the engine.As I was leaving he said He smelled Anti-Freeze.I opened the hood and on the top of the hood about where the A/C compressor is located was coolant I looked down and the P.S. Rack was a little wet.Now for the clincher.We started it up and no leaks anywhere ran for 5 minutes.No Leaks.So,I went home opened the hood idling and not one drop of green stuff..Took it for a 30 Min. drive came back..No Leaks and the original wetness on the hood had dried up. Like something shot coolant up to the hood then sealed itself.I'm thinking a Pin hole leak in the upper radiator hose???I don't believe theres any stop leak in the system. What Now ????

 

Could be the weep hole in the pump. IIRC there are two....one on top and one on bottom.

Seems that when they are going bad....at first the weep is inconsistent at first....and it gets progressively worse.

I may be wrong about the upper weep hole even being there.

 

Are you 100% sure that the "coolant" wasn't really water that condensed from the operation of the AC at the speed and dew point of that particular drive?

I know that on most days if I looked there would be some water condensed on and around the AC. But every once in a while, when the stars align, the drive's speed plus the ambient temp and humidity (dew point) will make the car **** a stream of water once parked. The first time I saw it I was certain that there was a coolant leak. I checked the spill and it was just dirty water.

 

I thought that at first but no it's was definatly Green and the smell of Ethylene Glycol..
jhammons01 has a good suggestion.is there a weep hole in the top of the WP as well? I thought only the bottom? Upper Radiator hose maybe??? But why would it not leak especially under pressure?

 

^^just more on the weep hole. You'll see fluid under your car one day...check it out....look for a hole or leak....can't find one.....

4-5 days later you still have not found any "fluid" under your car in the meantime...then...there is that puddle again......WTF?

This goes on like this for a few weeks and then the flood......an unmistakable drip of coolant....you get your wife's make up mirror and start looking around, finally you spot it dripping from the weep hole in a "Buried" water pump. Now you know the truth....

 

I've never seen a hole on top of a WP. That doesn't mean that he hasn't, naturally.

I did the TP bypass on my car when those paper thin Ts started to leak from the weld in the middle. They would spew a fine mist of coolant and it wasn't easy to find. Maybe you can force the leak to reveal itself if you squeeze a radiator hose while the car is at temp and cycling the fans.

 

But how did the Coolant get up to my Hood and no puddling on the ground if it's coming out on weep hole on the bottom of the WP??

 

You guys are right.Has to be the beginnings of a WP Failure. I just talked to my Advance Auto guy and He said the Coolant was probably blown to the top by incoming air at speed. and the Colling fans as well.
Makes sence.

BTW..What's a fair price for a shop to R & R the Pump?

 

BTW..What's a fair price for a shop to R & R the Pump?[/QUOTE]

Figure two hours labor is what it actually takes, but they probably use a flat rate book time. Shame you aren't closer, I only charge a 6 pack for a water pump.
ps--be sure you do it B 4 it screws up your optispark (that is a 3 6 pack job).

 

Thanx Aminnich.I appreciate that. see what I found from an 07' Post. Identical to what mine is doing.

corvette-pilot
CF Senior Member





My Corvette Photos
Member Since: Sep 2002
Location: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts LT1 Water Pump - New vs Rebuild ?

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I have a 94 LT1 with 62k mile has an antifreeze leak. Been chasing it down and fixed 2 of them - dried out thermostat housing o-ring and the pump front cover o-ring. Still getting a small leak someplace?? I used a pressure gage to find the first 2 but this last one??? Only sign of a leak is AF sprayed on the underside of the hood. Very very small drop hits the fan belt and sprays it up I never see any on the ground so it is minor.

What would leak on these pumps?? All moving parts are contained within so no seals to leak just water in/out gaskets or maybe the temp sensor? Because of this if I decide to just change the entire pump what are the + - of new vs rebuild? I don't feel like getting into the whole electric thing xxxxx

Off eBay I can get the new GM pump from a couple sources for about $200 shipped. There is another guy that sells rebuilt water pumps in general and has one for my car at $60 + shipping.

Ideas ?? Ads by GoogleHonda Water Pumps
All Models In stock. open Mon-Sun Free Shipping Call 1-800-916-9473
www.WiseSales.com

 

Cajun,
I strongly advise you to do this repair yourself. There is nothing hard about it if you're going to just R&R the WP.

If you do wind up using a shop, figure out some way to impart to them the importance of keeping the opti as dry as possible without pissing them off to the point that they take out their frustrations on your car or your wallet.

Lifetime warranty WPs can be had from Advace for about $130.

You're too far away for me to help in person but I don't mind at all being a phone call away if you wish while you do the repair yourself.

 

"YFigure two hours labor is what it actually takes, but they probably use a flat rate book time. Shame you aren't closer, I only charge a 6 pack for a water pump".

ps--be sure you do it B 4 it screws up your optispark (that is a 3 6 pack job).ou're too far away for me to help in person but I don't mind at all being a phone call away if you wish while you do the repair yourself".

You Know..it's things like this that renews all Faith in Mankind. We have so many Brothers,Friends (Really called Angels) on this Forum.I just wish we could all meet one day..Actually..we will one day.

Thanx
Guys

 

yes the wp has top and bottom weeps. Just replaced mine about two weeks ago. I am no mechanic but it was not that hard to do. Have no leaks since and low coolant light does not come on anymore. Maybe someone will scan in their FSM manual pages on how to R&R the wp for you. If you have some tools and some basic mechanical skills you can do this. Good luck Cajun.

 

Thanx a Bunch...I have a FSM. I also have a Great Friend of mine to help me.I ordered it from Advance. $139.00

I guess even though it only has 71K Miles that 14 years is a long time and alot of thermal cycling on that seal.

Thanx Guys

 

Be sure to have a swivel socket and 6" extension for one of the driver's side bolts. Also be sure to bleed the system real good after the swap.

 

Do you know what size,mm it is?

Thanx

 

I think they are 12 and 13 mm but if you look closely at the PS pulley you will see holes. Align the hole with the bolt and you can get them in and out.

 

Those are the bolts and a swivel makes it much easier. I am also thinking the 13mm socket is the one.

 

If you get stuck drop me a line I'm not that far away (and I'm in town the next couple of weeks). However, I'm sure you'll do fine, the water pump is not that big of a deal.


Mike

 

Thanx Mike / Guys

Dennis