water pump is leaking....questions..
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,226
Likes: 33
From: Morton illinois
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
water pump is leaking....questions..
Has anyone had one fail? I noticed it was dripping off the bottom of the pump where it meets the block. Its hard to see up under a vette with the leaf spring in the way, but I cleaned it all off with brake cleaner then watched. Looked to be dripping off the bottom left hand side gasket.I cant see how this little gasket would go bad, and its fairy new. about 4000 miles. I was wondering if there is some way this thing leaks if it has gone bad. I was out beating on the car and the coolant temp never went over 192....so does this mean the ump could be fine and just a gasket went bad somehow? any suggestions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
I am not expert, would put money on water pump bearings failing. In that case there is a coolant bypass hole in the pump housing that releases coolant in case of bearing failure. Take serpentine belt off and turn water pump by hand, must be no play up or down and smooth turning shaft.(sometimes a chirping that can be mistaken for belt noise too) Replace water pump. Rob (good luck)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Gaskets can compress and leak if the bolts were not tight enough when installed.
Have you checked the mounting bolts to make sure they are still tight?
That is the first thing I would do if you don't think it is coming from the weep hole.
Even if the water pump seal has failed, the pump could still be circulating coolant as it normally does. A small leak to the outside would not affect the pumps ability to circulate coolant. The weep hole is there so that if the mechanical seal fails, the coolant has a way to escape without building up pressure around the bearings.
Have you checked the mounting bolts to make sure they are still tight?
That is the first thing I would do if you don't think it is coming from the weep hole.
Even if the water pump seal has failed, the pump could still be circulating coolant as it normally does. A small leak to the outside would not affect the pumps ability to circulate coolant. The weep hole is there so that if the mechanical seal fails, the coolant has a way to escape without building up pressure around the bearings.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Mar 22, 2009 at 04:19 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 871
Likes: 4
From: Pembroke Pines Fl.
I just changed my water pump for fun lol . I thought my water pump was leaking but it turned out to be the smal metal line that runs under the throttle body. It had a pin hole. so make sure your water pump is the cause. but if you do replace the pump it is not a bad job. Should take about 2 hrs max.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,226
Likes: 33
From: Morton illinois
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
where is this weep hole? It stopped leaking, so its only leaking when its hot or running. So I cant really take everything off then check for the leak. Its damn near impossible to see up there.
I guess run it till its hot them start ripping parts off to see where its coming from
I guess run it till its hot them start ripping parts off to see where its coming from
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
It's located on the bottom of the housing near the pulley shaft.
Mine leaked a small amount of coolant during winter storage a couple of years back. I bought a new pump to replace it with, but it hasn't leaked again since that one time.
The new pump is still sitting in the box.
Mine leaked a small amount of coolant during winter storage a couple of years back. I bought a new pump to replace it with, but it hasn't leaked again since that one time.
The new pump is still sitting in the box.
