Recently replaced my accumulator, compressor, orifice, alternator, wires and spark plugs so I have decent capability of fixing my car I think. I don't want to take my car to a mechanic and hope this is something I can fix!

I have a coolant leak. Its not flowing but its definitely leaking. I took a flashlight to all the hoses overhead and they look dry. I see splash/spray marks all over from the belts but I am unable to locate the leak.

About half a litre leaked out of my car after it sat for about half an hour after driving. I see a lot of the coolant settling on the lip right under where the water pump is located.

Tomorrow I am going to Auto Zone and getting a pressure tester so I can see if that helps.

If anyone has a deducing suggestion or a potential weakness where the coolant leak might be in my C5 I would greatly appreciate any advice I can get.

I hope to God it isn't something complicated as my hands finally healed up!

 

Sounds like a water pump.

 

I think you just answered your own question, Water Pump seal, depending upon the mileage, a fairly common source of coolant leaks.

 

I agree with the guys above. A friend had the same issue and replaced all kinds of stuff even head gaskets. It ended up being the water pump.

 

but I just replaced both of the water gaskets on the water pump!! I bought the expensive metal ones with the rubber gasket lining. How can this be??

 

I'm so confused. First I change my wires and spark plugs and then RIGHT AWAY my alternator dies.

Now I replace my compressor, accumulator, water gaskets, orifice and now my water pump goes?

How do I find out for sure if this is my water pump and it cant be the water gaskets I put in I hope not!

 

will the pressure test from auto zone work or help me find the source?

 

How many miles are on your car? Btw did you check the uppder radiator piping? Remove the upper shroud and check if its cracked...it will be the short neck ehere the upper hose connects...usual area for cracking, i havent been able to check mine yet but i saw dryed coolant along that area and im down on coolant, temps are up etc..

 

Out of curiosity, why would you take the time and effort to replace only the gaskets when you could replace the entire pump? The pump has bearings that wear out that maybe causing your leakage and coolant also leaks if it has a broken seal or a weep hole. Put the pressure tester on and the leakage should be visible unless you have a head gasket problem then you should be able to see white exhaust fumes and smell coolant from the exhaust pipes, also you would have overheating problems.

 

Sometimes a leak can be a real PITA to find. You might want to consider taking it to a mechanic and having them put some dye into the coolant and then use a special light to pinpoint where the leak is. I've had to do that a couple of times to find exactly where the leak was coming from on cars over the years. Sure saves time and unnecessary parts replacement.

 

 

I have replaced two of them. Both the leaks were on the bottom side and we needed a mirror from the space between the block and water pump. Took a while to find this, but there is some kind of weep hole I think. Someone here will know a lot more then me on the subject

 

106,000 miles now. I am not sure where the upper radiator piping is. I'm very good at following instructions that is how I did my AC but I will research where this is and look at it thank you for your suggestion.

 

I didn't want to to replace something that wasn't broken. It was the compressor that was fried not the waterpump. If I had money I would just buy a new corvette =).

Okay sorry for the dumb question but I am just a newbie at repairing and can follow instructions. where is the head gasket? is that the water gaskets?

I smell coolant and see it dripping but it is impossible to find out where it is from looking down with the hood open.

I'm going to Auto Zone right now !

 

100k. miles is a good indication that you may have a water pump problem. It's not that expensive and give you peace of mind to replace it, it's a wearable componet just like your clutch/brakes/plugs etc.

 

Okay I do kind of feel like an idiot but I did learn a lesson I will use in the future. When I first discovered that I was leaking coolant I opened my hood and used my eyes. I ran my hand under all the hoses and the first one being the upper inlet water hose. The fat one that runs from the top of the water pump across to the drivers side radiator. Under I had some coolant.

Now here is where I made the mistake. It was simply the state at which I was in which was a stressed and anxious state. If I was calm I would have deduced simply that although coolant was being sprayed everywhere I dry hose with liquid under the lowest gravity part might simply have a crack. If I were to have squeezed the hose or ran my fingers around it I would have found the crack but I didnt!

Autozone didn't have the pressure pump to test it but when I drove by a mechanic he ran his hand under and squeezed it discovering within 15 seconds the source.

I need to calm down when I am working or looking at my car and breath! I found the spot just as fast but didn't take a second to think. lol

Thank you everyone for your input

 

Glad you found the leak and it is nothing major to fix.

 

a pressure tester would have been the first thing you should have used.

 

I am glad you found your issue!!

I had a similar problem on my mustang, I bought this guy:
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...025_0282503683

I found the leak within 5 minutes. I've also helped several of my friends as well.