How do our LT1/4 waterpumps fail?

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Aug 6, 2003 | 01:44 AM

Raysur

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From: Southern California

How do our LT1/4 waterpumps fail?

My waterpump gave up this weekend and I was lucky to catch it in the very early stages. My pump only drips from the weep hole for a few seconds after shutdown. I haven't driven the car since so no damage done (I hope) to my opti. My question is about the weep hole and the hole for the shaft in the back. Does water come from the weep hole first then start to leak from the rear as the pump gets worse? On my new pump i'm thinking of fitting a hose to the weep hole so it drips on the floor rather than the opti. I just want to know if the pump is going to fail from the rear before leaking through the weep hole.

I was thinking about an electric pump but I don't have the time for the complete installation. I'm looking at a brand new Bosch waterpump and an AC Delco. Price being the only difference I see. Both brand new both trusty names. Is going with the Bosch a bad move? Thanks. :cheers:

Aug 6, 2003 | 07:11 AM

RichS

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From: WilkesBarre PA

Re: How do our LT1/4 waterpumps fail? (Raysur)

My 3 pumps all leaked through the weep hole first.

Aug 6, 2003 | 10:31 AM

Strick

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From: Lake Wylie SC

Re: How do our LT1/4 waterpumps fail? (Raysur)

Quote:

I was thinking about an electric pump but I don't have the time for the complete installation. I'm looking at a brand new Bosch waterpump and an AC Delco. Price being the only difference I see. Both brand new both trusty names. Is going with the Bosch a bad move? Thanks. :cheers:

First, to answer your question about which pump to get, I don't know anything about the Bosch. If you think in the future that you will be putting in an electric pump, I'd go with the AC Delco as the Meziere pump is designed for that housing. I don't know about the Bosch's housing.

How does a OEM pump fail? I have a OEM pump shaft assembly that I pulled from my OEM pump for the electric upgrade. Here's what happens in the failure process: inside the pump is an impeller pressed on a shaft. Next on that shaft is a spring loaded seal followed by the bearing. Then the shaft continues out passing through another external seal to the coupling which connects to the driven shaft assembly that goes into the timing cover. (I still haven't bought my digital camera yet) When the seal inside the water pump starts to fail, coolant slips past it to the bearing. That's where the weap hole is. This is where the pump starts to go down hill as the bearing now gets wet and begins its failure. This is the beauty of the electric upgrade as it eliminates this entire shaft assembly and plugs all those holes, permanently.
Hope this helps. :cheers:

Aug 6, 2003 | 01:01 PM

Raysur

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From: Southern California

Re: How do our LT1/4 waterpumps fail? (Strick)

Thanks guys. It looks like I will run a hose from the weep hole. This way it drips on the ground. I always check the ground when I pull my car out.:cheers:

RichS,
Which brand were those other two pumps?

Strick,
I'm keeping my old pump just incase I decide to go over to electric.

In the meantime I think i'm going to go with the Bosch with its lifetime warranty.

Aug 6, 2003 | 03:31 PM

Strick

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From: Lake Wylie SC

Re: How do our LT1/4 waterpumps fail? (Raysur)

Quote:

Thanks guys. It looks like I will run a hose from the weep hole. This way it drips on the ground. I always check the ground when I pull my car out.:cheers:

There isn't a lot of room to run hoses or tubes from the weap hole. How are you going to attach a hose? :confused:

Aug 6, 2003 | 03:37 PM

Strick

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From: Lake Wylie SC

Re: How do our LT1/4 waterpumps fail? (Strick)

Oh, one more thing about those "lifetime warrantys" You'll have to replace the pump which is a labor intensive job. I assume you are doing it yourself. Again, that's another bennie of the electric water pump, it's easy to replace.

:flag

Aug 6, 2003 | 05:05 PM

RichS

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From: WilkesBarre PA

Re: How do our LT1/4 waterpumps fail? (Strick)

2 stock Delco and 1 reman. The reman that lasted 3000 miles was relaced with a new one but I don't remember the name.

Aug 7, 2003 | 01:10 AM

Raysur

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From: Southern California

Re: How do our LT1/4 waterpumps fail? (Strick)

My Dad is going to drill out the hole slighty to tap it for a male tube fitting.

I'm doing the install myself. I would like the electric pump but I don't have the down time for the shaft removal. It would take me a month to finish that. :yesnod: :D