coolant puddle on ground??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: fresno ca
coolant puddle on ground??
I have a totally stock 99 coupe C5
Lately I have found a puddle of coolant on the ground approx 2 cups, a few different times.
and now my low coolant sensor is activated.
Is my car trying to tell me something?
should I replace my thermostat??
Lately I have found a puddle of coolant on the ground approx 2 cups, a few different times.
and now my low coolant sensor is activated.
Is my car trying to tell me something?
should I replace my thermostat??
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,766
Likes: 5
From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Can you tell where on the engine it's dripping from? Could be a few things, water pump failing, hose failing, cracked thermostat housing. With the hood open look into the motor and see where the drip might be originating from. If your thermostat was going bad it won't leak, engine temps would increase. I would lean more towards a water pump or hose.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: fresno ca
I did some poking around, I found it wet underneath the waterpump above the small belt tensioner, (about 4" towards the center of the engine from the thermostat housing)
What does this mean?
waterpump is bad or going bad? my temps are normal.
Is it a leak from the waterpump gasket or is there a bypass hole in the pump or something?
What can I expect to pay for a new pump and are they difficult to replace? I am mechanicly inclined, I have tools and beer.
thanks, I love this website.
What does this mean?
waterpump is bad or going bad? my temps are normal.
Is it a leak from the waterpump gasket or is there a bypass hole in the pump or something?
What can I expect to pay for a new pump and are they difficult to replace? I am mechanicly inclined, I have tools and beer.
thanks, I love this website.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,396
Likes: 2
From: North Manchester Indiana
I bet its the water pump. You cant actually see the weep hole, but it drips on the lower carnk pulley.
BUY a NEW, not rebuilt pump. Get a AC DELCO....trust me on that.
if you have an after market thermostart, be sure it fits in the pump.
BTW, the new ac delco will come with a stock new thermostat....
to install...
1. drain the radiator, lower right side of the radiator is the drain. dont break it.
2. remove the belt tensioner
3. remove the 4 hoses,, two heater, two radiator
4. remove the 6 10 mm bolts holding the pump
5. clean block
6. use antisieze on bolts
7. a dab of sealer will hold gaskets in place, not too much
8. install new pump
9. add dexcool with DISTILLED water, 50 -50 mix
......might need to remove the air bridge
you can do a pump in about 1 hour.......maybe 2 if your slow..its not hard,,,and pretty easy..If youever turned a wrench, you can do this
BUY a NEW, not rebuilt pump. Get a AC DELCO....trust me on that.
if you have an after market thermostart, be sure it fits in the pump.
BTW, the new ac delco will come with a stock new thermostat....
to install...
1. drain the radiator, lower right side of the radiator is the drain. dont break it.
2. remove the belt tensioner
3. remove the 4 hoses,, two heater, two radiator
4. remove the 6 10 mm bolts holding the pump
5. clean block
6. use antisieze on bolts
7. a dab of sealer will hold gaskets in place, not too much
8. install new pump
9. add dexcool with DISTILLED water, 50 -50 mix
......might need to remove the air bridge
you can do a pump in about 1 hour.......maybe 2 if your slow..its not hard,,,and pretty easy..If youever turned a wrench, you can do this
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Here is my advice on pump replacement!! Make sure that you order and get the new and improved metal water pump gaskets. If the paper ones are on there, it will be a royal pain in the *** to scrape them off!!!
There are TWO types of pumps out there. Early style and late style. If you look at your pump pulley and it has FOUR fasteners holding the pulley to the pump, you have the early type!
If you do NOT see any bolts on the pulley, you have the late C5 style pump. The pulley will not come off the pump.
When you order and receive your pump,,,make sure that you get the same type. I think you can up grade an early style pump to a late style pump but, I'm mot 100% sure. If you get a late style pump, it WILL come with a pulley already installed on the pump! the early style will NOT have a pulley!
Make sure that you refill the system with DEXCOOL and distilled water!
Bill
There are TWO types of pumps out there. Early style and late style. If you look at your pump pulley and it has FOUR fasteners holding the pulley to the pump, you have the early type!
If you do NOT see any bolts on the pulley, you have the late C5 style pump. The pulley will not come off the pump.
When you order and receive your pump,,,make sure that you get the same type. I think you can up grade an early style pump to a late style pump but, I'm mot 100% sure. If you get a late style pump, it WILL come with a pulley already installed on the pump! the early style will NOT have a pulley!
Make sure that you refill the system with DEXCOOL and distilled water!
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
Def. water pump. All good advice above. Our '98 had started to leak last year. It had the old style pump with the bolt on pulley. Replaced with the new style, no problem. Bob at Fitchners is a great way to go if your local dealer will not price match GMPartsDirect.com. If you do it youself and had the old paper gasket, be careful scraping it off, it is just aluminum under there. Also, I leaned on the surge tank too hard and cracked a nipple on the return and had to buy a new tank. ($40)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
one last precaution, use a torque wrench when re-installing the pump. the aluminum block is unforgiving so make sure to torque to the correct specs. It's right up front on the engine so R&R is relatively easy. the dealership will charge $400 ish for the work, maybe more.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: fresno ca
thanks guys.
should I wait until something else happens with the pump, or should I change the pump out now.
what will happen if I let it go???
I looked and I do have the late style pump (press on pulley)
I recently bought a 178* thermostat (not installed yet) from west coast corvettes, hopefully it will fit in the new pump.
I plan on using an AC Delco unit.
should I wait until something else happens with the pump, or should I change the pump out now.
what will happen if I let it go???
I looked and I do have the late style pump (press on pulley)
I recently bought a 178* thermostat (not installed yet) from west coast corvettes, hopefully it will fit in the new pump.
I plan on using an AC Delco unit.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Recommend fixing it NOW! My friend had the same problem and a few days after he noticed the leak, he had Niagara Falls under there and almost got stranded on the road!. Its a good time to flush the entire system and refill it with the correct 50/50 distilled water and DEXCOOL
Also make sure that you check the area BETWEEN the AC Condenser and the radiator. It frequently gets clogged up with grass, and sand causing a loss of cooling efficiency.
I always add a water pump lubricant when ever I flush and fill the system.
Bill
Also make sure that you check the area BETWEEN the AC Condenser and the radiator. It frequently gets clogged up with grass, and sand causing a loss of cooling efficiency.
I always add a water pump lubricant when ever I flush and fill the system.
Bill
