C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

another coolant leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 23, 2007 | 05:25 PM
  #1  
endofmillenium99's Avatar
endofmillenium99
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: San Mateo Ca
Default another coolant leak

hey all,
just replaced a leaking surge tank and now have a leak right under the water pump. if i just replace the gasket, should the water pump give me a bit more life, if it is not bad, or should i just replace it as well? how can you tell if it's the pump or the gasket?
thanks...
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2007 | 06:25 PM
  #2  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,293
Likes: 1,109
From: Dyer, IN
Default

I'm not sure I've ever seen a water pump gasket leak. Usually, it has been my experience that the pump starts leaking from "weep" hole. It's a sign that the bearing inside is starting to walk out. Clean it up, blow it off with compressed air, and see where the leak is coming from.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2007 | 06:45 PM
  #3  
PierEagle's Avatar
PierEagle
Drifting
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Default

Originally Posted by lucky131969
I'm not sure I've ever seen a water pump gasket leak. Usually, it has been my experience that the pump starts leaking from "weep" hole. It's a sign that the bearing inside is starting to walk out. Clean it up, blow it off with compressed air, and see where the leak is coming from.
Check the hose connections to make sure they haven't loosened. However, I see a waterpump in your immediate future. It's not a pretty picture.

Cheers

Last edited by PierEagle; Oct 23, 2007 at 06:49 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2007 | 06:54 PM
  #4  
jirasvet's Avatar
jirasvet
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: hill billy hell
Default

Like stated its probably coming from the weep hole.
If you have a coolant system pressure tester you would find out
immediately.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2007 | 07:34 PM
  #5  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,293
Likes: 1,109
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by jirasvet
Like stated its probably coming from the weep hole.
If you have a coolant system pressure tester you would find out
immediately.
For sure, sorry I forgot to mention that . If no pressure tester is available, Make sure you are full of coolant, allow the engine to come up to operating temperature. This will allow the system to pressurize. Then shut the engine off, and see where she leaks from.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2007 | 08:23 PM
  #6  
'VETTE PHASE's Avatar
'VETTE PHASE
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 11
From: Powell TN
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Default

Just an FYI. If you do have to replace the water pump, you can get one for an 04-up model. It allows you to use a normal type of thermostat (~$15), instead of the combination type where the thermostat and the water neck are one piece (~$50-$60).
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2007 | 09:25 PM
  #7  
TEXHAWK0's Avatar
TEXHAWK0
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Default

Originally Posted by 2000C-5
Just an FYI. If you do have to replace the water pump, you can get one for an 04-up model. It allows you to use a normal type of thermostat (~$15), instead of the combination type where the thermostat and the water neck are one piece (~$50-$60).
The thermostat and housing are sold as a unit, but I don't think they are one piece. The ones I have seen still use a rubber gasket around the edge of the thermostat, and it is just pressed into the housing.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2007 | 12:10 AM
  #8  
'VETTE PHASE's Avatar
'VETTE PHASE
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 11
From: Powell TN
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by TEXHAWK0
The thermostat and housing are sold as a unit, but I don't think they are one piece. The ones I have seen still use a rubber gasket around the edge of the thermostat, and it is just pressed into the housing.
I was talking about the thermostat and the water neck parts. The 04 and LS2 water pumps have a two piece thermostat/waterneck. You're right, the new water pump would have to come as one unit since it is not interchangeable with the older water pumps. It has the same rubber o-ring type seal, but it is a smaller diameter o-ring than the one piece type. It's not interchangeable with the older water pumps because the o-ring isn't big enough to cover the larger hole in the water pump (the arms that hold the thermostat are wider on the one piece).


97-03 LS1 WATER PUMP




97-03 LS1 THERMOSTAT (LEFT) 04-LS2 THERMOSTAT (RIGHT)




04-LS2 WATER PUMP





04-LS2 THERMOSTAT AND HOUSING notice that the thermostat housing does not have the arm with the hole in it that holds some wiring on F-bodys


Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 7, 2008 | 02:36 PM
  #9  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Thats cool! Great to be able to use the LATEST AND GREATEST stuff!!
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2008 | 02:49 PM
  #10  
Jeff @ TPE's Avatar
0Jeff @ TPE
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,876
Likes: 8
From: Las Vegas NV
St. Jude Donor '06 & '12
Default

The LS2 waterpump looks completely different thn the LS1/LS6.
The only "exterior differences between the 1997-20004 are the t-stat housing.
The 2005-2007 WP has a much smaller drive housing, and refined internals that lengthen its life, and stop "weeping". The flow is exactly the same.
Attached Images   

Last edited by Jeff @ TPE; Mar 7, 2008 at 02:52 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2008 | 07:14 PM
  #11  
ALLEGRO's Avatar
ALLEGRO
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
Default

Do it right the first time: replace the pump too.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To another coolant leak





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:28 AM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE