chadk

Hello all, I was sitting here thinking of what are the symptoms of a failing water pump on an LT1 engine. I don't have any signs that I know of now but am curious because the LT1 water pump is driven by the CAM. I had water pumps on previous cars just tie up. Being a direct drive (no belt) how would a seized water pump on an LT1 engine act like? Also, I have had water pumps just get old and the water flow would be less at idle and pick up with increased engine speed. I'm sure that's the same for our cars (LT1). Any other signs? I'm just trying to be proactive.

FASTAZU

Most of the time when I've had a water pump go out it was the bearings and the seal. They all stated leaking out of the weep hole just under the bottom of the pump, this on an LT1/LT4 is why they sometimes take out the opti.

chadk

Roger that. Totally forgot the most common result, a leaky water pump.

Den14

If you do ever have to replace the water pump, epoxy a plastic vacuum hose elbow in the weep hole and run a little hose from it so if it ever does leak it will be directed away from the Opti. You can do this on your existing one to be even more proactive.

cardo0

I had one bad WP. Caught it when i saw high indicated temp on the dash temp gauge - before the warning light lit. Guess i was lucky and thats all that needed to be replaced. But high water temp is an easy way to blow a head gasket.

I have a 160 degree t-stat now in my LT1 and it runs cold even in the desert summer. Hardly gets above 160* even with the AC on. So if water pump goes out and temps start to climb i will know what to look for the problem.

Hope this helps.

Den14

I too traded out the thermostat, for a 180. I also put in a mini-toggle to turn on the secondary fan when I am in gridlock traffic. I stay between 188-196 on the hottest of days. I feel more comfortable knowing that I can control the finer points of the systems. I am not a Thermo-Engineer, but I play one in my Corvette!

1993BlackVette

Check around the inspection plate for discoloration from anti freeze, kinda feel around the bottom of it for that nasty greasy feeling too.

I installed an electric waterpump awhile back. I hated the idea of the damn thing leaking on my MSD. It sits at 175 on average now. If it goes over 195 I know somethings wrong. Plus it makes refilling the anti freeze easier. That's probably the easiest way, just watch the temp.

C4DC

When mine was going, the power steering would cut out at low speed from the antifreeze dripping from the weep hole on the serpentine belt causing it to slip.

chadk

Interesting. Thanks for the reply.

Peace L Mike

That's funny mine is doing the same. I'm trying to see why my car over heating

PatternDayTrader

This ^^^