PLEASE HELP! Idle and Coolant
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad CA
PLEASE HELP! Idle and Coolant
Hey guys I need some help pretty bad. I have a 92 vette. JUst recently I have gotten two problems. I dont know if they are connected at all and I could really use some help on how to fix them. THe first is a coolant issue. My car is leaking coolant. Im not sure from where but it is getting on the belt and spraying up onto the inside of the hood as the belt turns. When I open it up in the garage I dont see any leaks, I think its occuring as I drive. Any thoughts or ways to stop the leak with a product? THe other question involves my idle. When I start up the car its totally normal, but after a few minutes it begins to idle roughly. THe RPMs stay constant and I dont k\notice any difference in power. THe car just shakes abit and the exhaust sounds slightly different. Any ideas on that? I could really use your help to fix these problems. Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
Your first problem sounds like it could be your water pump. Run your fingers or a rag on the underside of the pump and see if there is any moisture/antifreeze. It may be coming from the seals between the pump and the block or from the pump itself.
This might be related to your other problem, I am not real familiar with the '92's, but I think they have the optispark -- if so, if the leak is coming from the pump when the car is running, it could be getting the opti wet and causing the rough idle.
Just my thoughts based on the info you've provided, other's might have better/other ideas -- good luck.
This might be related to your other problem, I am not real familiar with the '92's, but I think they have the optispark -- if so, if the leak is coming from the pump when the car is running, it could be getting the opti wet and causing the rough idle.
Just my thoughts based on the info you've provided, other's might have better/other ideas -- good luck.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad CA
I will check the water pump. That sounds like it could be the problem. I have heard a ton about the optispark being a pain if they get wet at all. Anyone else have any ideas? I appreciate the help everyone.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: arlington washington
I have a 92 with 47,000 mi and I just did the water pump, opti, plugs, and wires. I had similar symptoms and found the leak at the back of the w/p where the drive shaft goes into the w/p. It was driping onto the opti.
I used a pressure tester put about 10psi on the system, checked the hoses and around the rariator found nothing. then with a mirror and a flashlight from the passanger side I could see behind and under the w/p.
I got the dyna-spark instead of the factory opti-spark becouse of the failure rate of the factory opti-sparks I have heard about both on this forum and friends that have them an camaros and impala ss's.
With every thing removed to do the w/p and opti it is a good time to do plugs and wires also.
I used a pressure tester put about 10psi on the system, checked the hoses and around the rariator found nothing. then with a mirror and a flashlight from the passanger side I could see behind and under the w/p.
I got the dyna-spark instead of the factory opti-spark becouse of the failure rate of the factory opti-sparks I have heard about both on this forum and friends that have them an camaros and impala ss's.
With every thing removed to do the w/p and opti it is a good time to do plugs and wires also.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
I, too, have a 92 LT1. 2 years ago, I had an oil leak that was driving me nuts. It was coming from the front of the engine. So I began removing things and found a small coolant leak out of the weep hole on the underside of the water pump. And, I found my oil leak right at the seal where the water pump drive is located. Although I didn't have your idle problem, my opti was ready to leave me just like a Ford (Found On the Road Dead). When I took the opti off and opened it up, I found coolant, dirt, and rust. I was amazed it was still running. Here is a Tech Tip article I wrote about the whole project: https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=231&TopicID=2
BTW, I,too, had about 44K on her back then.
BTW, I,too, had about 44K on her back then.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Apopka FL
Hi all..
I too am doing the Opti / water pump thing on my '94 LT 1 after blowing a hose and washing the Opti out. Any of you have comments on brands of water pumps (OEM vs. NAPA or anyone else, NEW not R/B)? I get a great deal from NAPA because of my company relationship.
TIA
Dave
I too am doing the Opti / water pump thing on my '94 LT 1 after blowing a hose and washing the Opti out. Any of you have comments on brands of water pumps (OEM vs. NAPA or anyone else, NEW not R/B)? I get a great deal from NAPA because of my company relationship.
TIA
Dave
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
If you are not doing the upgrade to an electric water pump, which is highly recommended, go only with the NEW AC Delco OEM pump. Rebuilts just don't last and even if you get a lifetime warranty, you won't want to dig in there again for the replacement. Another reason to jump to the electric system is once installed, it only takes about 30 minutes to replace if it wears out. And it won't leak all over your opti.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Leak and ........
Try first a pressure test on the radiator from 10 to 15 lbs and see where the coolent leaks out. If it from the water pump, fix it as soon as possible as it may kill your OPTI which can be very expensive and cause a rough idle or worse.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 0
From: DFW TX
rjward,
I had a very similar issues on my 92.
Same water pump leak.
BAck at the tailpipes the idle would sound like it just skips a couple beats every once in a while, but seemed to still run good.
I tried all kinds of things to get my idle right.
Only after the Opti change did it smooth out.
I opened up the opti and it was full of rust from getting wet.
I think you are in for an opti & water pump change like the rest of us.
VALUABLE TIP: change the plug wires while it is apart.
Good luck.
I had a very similar issues on my 92.
Same water pump leak.
BAck at the tailpipes the idle would sound like it just skips a couple beats every once in a while, but seemed to still run good.
I tried all kinds of things to get my idle right.
Only after the Opti change did it smooth out.
I opened up the opti and it was full of rust from getting wet.
I think you are in for an opti & water pump change like the rest of us.
VALUABLE TIP: change the plug wires while it is apart.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
I *just* had my water pump replaced -- as in the end of last week. Your symptom of the sprayed coolant up onto the underside of the hood is a dead-ringer for a failing water pump. As others have mentioned, if your pump fails before you replace it, it will take the Opti-spark along with it ($500 part). REPLACE the pump NOW. I purchased my new AC/Delco pump from Chris @ Superior Chevrolet for $153. That's better than what Napa could get me, and it's an OEM piece to boot. Get 'er done!
BTW, is this what your hood looks like?
BTW, is this what your hood looks like?