Water Pump help!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 2
From: Auburn Michigan
Water Pump help!
Hey guys.I have a small leak and I assume it is coming from one of the gaskets on my water pump.
It drips 1 to 2 drips per day on the spring below the car.
I am pretty sure it is not the pump cause everything else seems dry.
I am due for a flush and belt change anyway so I want to replace the gaskets on the water pump.
I know there are 2 gaskets and a O-ring.
Is the O-ring only used if I remove the thermostat housing from the water pump? (which I don't need to do)
I can't tell from the autozone or napa website.
They just say it is a related part.
Also when you install the new gaskets do you use any sealer or gasket tack for a better seal?
I want to do this right the first time.
Let me know and thanks ahead of time
Fireman591
It drips 1 to 2 drips per day on the spring below the car.
I am pretty sure it is not the pump cause everything else seems dry.
I am due for a flush and belt change anyway so I want to replace the gaskets on the water pump.
I know there are 2 gaskets and a O-ring.
Is the O-ring only used if I remove the thermostat housing from the water pump? (which I don't need to do)
I can't tell from the autozone or napa website.
They just say it is a related part.
Also when you install the new gaskets do you use any sealer or gasket tack for a better seal?
I want to do this right the first time.
Let me know and thanks ahead of time
Fireman591
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 608
Likes: 1
From: Lindenwold New Jersey
I had the same issue a few drops under the car and found out the water pump was actually leaking at the input shaft right behined the pulley. I ended up replaceing the whole pump it was like $140 i think from auto zone which included the gaskets. but to answer your Quesstion yes there are only two gaskets one for each end the O-ring is for the thermostat .when you do it look at the very bottom of the pump while its off to see if you have any trace of fluid at the base if so yours is leaking the same as mine was good luck. and no I used no sealer the gaskets are metal with rubber seals on them.
Phil
Phil
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 2
From: Auburn Michigan
I had the same issue a few drops under the car and found out the water pump was actually leaking at the input shaft right behined the pulley. I ended up replaceing the whole pump it was like $140 i think from auto zone which included the gaskets. but to answer your Quesstion yes there are only two gaskets one for each end the O-ring is for the thermostat .when you do it look at the very bottom of the pump while its off to see if you have any trace of fluid at the base if so yours is leaking the same as mine was good luck. and no I used no sealer the gaskets are metal with rubber seals on them.
Phil
Phil
Did you know that before or after you took the water pump off (the leak)?
I swear everything looks dry as a bone. I even used a small mirror to check for wetness and still see nothing.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 77
From: Forney Texas
If it's dripping straight down to the spring and not running down the front of the engine, I would believe it's the seal broken in the water pump as mentioned earlier. If you want, buy the gaskets, remove the water pump and replace them. If you're right, you saved yourself the cost of a water pump. If not, you're buying a water pump. As you may already know, it's easy to change out the water pump. Only 6-10mm bolts hold it on. If you like for your sanity, you can put some liquid teflon sealant on the threads of the 6 bolts when you reinstall the pump. I didn't do it the last time I put my pump on because I saw no indication that it was done with sealant from GM and had no issues with it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 2
From: Auburn Michigan
Pump is now off
I just pulled the pump and still show no signs of where it was coming from.Just a little bit of corrosion or staining around the driver side gasket.
But no stains on the pump it's self.
It is a gm pump so I assume it is the original.
I saw no pump replacement on the GM info system when I had a forum member run the vin.
So to be on the safe side I am replacing it along with the thermostat and belt.
I flushed the heck out of the engine with a garden hose so at least I saved some dough on a flush.
I got the new pump for 148 at a local parts store.
It is not a delco but has a lifetime warranty.
Have a good one
Fireman591
But no stains on the pump it's self.
It is a gm pump so I assume it is the original.
I saw no pump replacement on the GM info system when I had a forum member run the vin.
So to be on the safe side I am replacing it along with the thermostat and belt.
I flushed the heck out of the engine with a garden hose so at least I saved some dough on a flush.
I got the new pump for 148 at a local parts store.
It is not a delco but has a lifetime warranty.
Have a good one
Fireman591
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 2
From: Austin Texas
Good call. That pump has what's called a weep hole between the inner and outer seals. When the inner ones goes bad, water can leak through the weep hole and let you know it's time to change the pump. I did the same about a year ago, and it's been fine.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 2
From: Auburn Michigan
The leak has been repaired with the new water pump.
Still could not tell if it was the pump or gasket.
Oh well at least I don't have anti-freeze on the floor everyday.
Thanks for the input
Fireman591
Still could not tell if it was the pump or gasket.
Oh well at least I don't have anti-freeze on the floor everyday.
Thanks for the input
Fireman591
