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Coolant leaking!!

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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 11:11 PM
  #1  
The Darkside's Avatar
The Darkside
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Default Coolant leaking!!

does anybody have any experience with a coolant leaking 03 Z06? it looks like it coming from around the waterpump area... however the car is not over heating so the pump seems to be working fine. possibly the seal or something. wondering if it is difficult to fix myself or should i have a pro take care of it?? any help would be appreciated... Thanks
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 11:18 PM
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Lets see.....if it is leaking coolant around the water pump......what could it be.....
Maybe its the water pump!
A water pump seal can be leaking and the pump still be circulating enough water for the engine not to overheat.
If there are no obvious leaks from hoses or fittings, there is a good chance the water pump seal is leaking or the gaskets where the pump bolts to the block could be leaking. Clean the area off to see if you can determine where the coolant is coming from.
With tools and some time, most people should be able to replace the water pump.
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 11:24 PM
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Hopefully/probably just the seal. Shouldn't cost you too much time or $$$ to address.
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 01:38 PM
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I don't know about the C5, but cars in general have a weep hole on the water pump. When the bearings start to go, or seals, they will leak a little while still performing within spec for cooling purposes. I've always thought this was intended to give you time to get home and change it.

??? .02

Also please note that older hoses can crack and the resevior is known for leaking as well.

Find out where its coming from first. Water can travel strange paths
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Old Sep 8, 2007 | 09:54 PM
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Just wanted to add what I went thru. I replaced the water pump for leaking on my Vette (not a Z06) but in any event, when I was done it still had the same leak. It turned out to be the small hose going to the throttle body had a pin hole in it and caused a leak to drip down across the water pump. Look carefully replacing the wrong part cost me $160


Dave
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Old Sep 8, 2007 | 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by CTSV OWNER
Just wanted to add what I went thru. I replaced the water pump for leaking on my Vette (not a Z06) but in any event, when I was done it still had the same leak. It turned out to be the small hose going to the throttle body had a pin hole in it and caused a leak to drip down across the water pump. Look carefully replacing the wrong part cost me $160


Dave
Look for the obvious and little things first. If it does turn out to be the water pump, it's an easy change and can be done from the top, without getting underneath the car.
BTW, I have to disagree with the "reservoir is known for leaking as well" comment. Pretty rare occurrence overall.
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