Help, coolant leak
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,819
Likes: 0
From: Anytown USA
Help, coolant leak
when i park the car for a while, there is a puddle under the car when i leave. i went under to see if i could see where the source is and couldn't. it's dripping off the frame in the front center of the car.
1. the car isn't overheating
2. the coolant overflow bottle is full
3. the check engine light goes on every once in a while (could be unrelated, but then again, that's why i'm posting it here)
4. when the check engine light is on, there is a miss where it boggs and then comes back
#4 is prob. something different than the coolant...but again, that's why i'm asking.
could this be a water pump going on me or something else? i have an 88 Z52 with a four speed. thanks in advance for all of yours help!
Mike
1. the car isn't overheating
2. the coolant overflow bottle is full
3. the check engine light goes on every once in a while (could be unrelated, but then again, that's why i'm posting it here)
4. when the check engine light is on, there is a miss where it boggs and then comes back
#4 is prob. something different than the coolant...but again, that's why i'm asking.
could this be a water pump going on me or something else? i have an 88 Z52 with a four speed. thanks in advance for all of yours help!
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Re: Help, coolant leak (Getzen88)
Could be leaking from anywhere. If you are sure it is coolant (green) follow trail to leak. I over simplified it but you get the idea. Borrow a pressure tester and pump up. This will show the leak for sure.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,819
Likes: 0
From: Anytown USA
Re: Help, coolant leak (Pete K)
i tried to trace it up, but there is nothing above it that i could see. would a water pump going out leak? that is my main question. i'm bringing it in to my guy tomorrow and would like to give him as much info about it as possable.
Mike
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
Likes: 2
From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Re: Help, coolant leak (Getzen88)
There is a weep hole on the bottom of the water pump. That's possible. Also, check at the front and rear areas where the intake and heads are mated. SBCs are good for intake leaks. Check all hose connections.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Re: Help, coolant leak (Steel Blue 91)
If in fact you do wind up needing a waterpump, try to buy a new airtex pump. They are new gm pumps in the box. The part number is ground off. It usually costs $55 or so. GM gets $200 for the same pump in different box. Rebuilt pumps are usually not more than 10 or 15 bucks cheaper. Not worth it in my opinion.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 27
From: Minneapolis MN
Re: Help, coolant leak (Pete K)
Borrow a pressure tester and pump up. This will show the leak for sure.
Carefully check both your upper/lower radiator hoses for leakage. Pump up the system with a pressure tester and you will find the source!
