Coolant leak/ water pump
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Coolant leak/ water pump
This mourning I found a small puddle of coolant under my 96. It drives fine, no codes or noises. I checked under the hood and found a good amount on the crossbar under the opti. I am thinking that the water pump is going or gone. I checked all the TB coolant hoses and couldn't find any leaks. There is a lot of sludge and oil under the water pump so it's hard to tell for sure if it's coming from the weep hole. Is there anywhere else it could be coming from that I should check? While driving recently, there was no indication that the water pump was not working. engine temps are fine, the opti has not yet been fouled. Its an lt4 with 90k on it and probably the original water pump and opti so I guess I am going to attempt this nightmare, just want to get opinions first in case it could be something else. If I do change the water pump I am thinking that even if the opti is still working, I should change it since it's so old. also, it's a sludgy mess down there, wondering if I should change the timing cover gasket and/or the intake. Thinking I might just try and clean it up over the winter. Have I just been lucky that the opti has not washed out? Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 17
From: Eugene Oregon
I believe in the Beer Fairy
St. Jude Donor '15,'19
This job is far from a nightmare, I have done it twice and there are many other jobs that are worse to take on, I actually enjoyed learning more about the LT1 motor, and the guys here are a big help. Take off the water pump and inspect it, you should see evidence of failure. Then remove the harmonic balancer so you can take the cover off your Opti to inspect, you will know if you should replace it once you take the cover off. Replace your Water pump and Opti seal and water pump driveshaft and coupler O-rings. Evaluate the idler,tensioner pulleys and belt. Check plugs and wires. you said you were thinking of doing it over the winter i think its a good idea too take your time and go slower. 
