Leaking dexcool but where ??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Shediac New-Brunswick
Leaking dexcool but where ??
I have a strange problem…last weekend I had a puddle about the size of a coaster of antifreeze on the garage floor like almost beneath the motor. So I looked around figured well it must be my water pump gaskets so I went out bought a pair and installed them. So Friday I took out the car for a good spin parked it overnight checked no fluid leaked. Then took it out Saturday for another good spin and again parked it overnight and checked in the morning and again I had a small puddle of antifreeze on the floor. So I was like geez that’s weird! So I took it for a drive on Sunday and checked on the floor this morning and it’s dry nothing leaked….I don’t know what is going on. I am under the assumption that if antifreeze leaks it would leak all the time…Any info would be appreciated. There’s only 30,000 miles on the car so I don’t think the pump is bad.
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
The water pump coolant to waterpump vent seals are actually metal sealing rings. There made of STELITE which is super hard and the surface (when new) is like a mirror. The metal rings when mated are water tight.
The rubber seals in the pump are just there to protect the bearings from exterior water and dirt. If those metal sealing surfaces are starting to fail, it will be sporatic at first and them more constant. Clean the area well and look at the very bottom of the water pump drive pulley for sings of coolant when you see coolant on the deck.
Bill
The rubber seals in the pump are just there to protect the bearings from exterior water and dirt. If those metal sealing surfaces are starting to fail, it will be sporatic at first and them more constant. Clean the area well and look at the very bottom of the water pump drive pulley for sings of coolant when you see coolant on the deck.
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
30k miles on an '02
Infrequent driving like that can usher in premature water pump death. They don't take kindly to sitting for long periods.
Personally I wouldn't have replaced the gaskets without also swapping in a new pump on a 8 year old car.
Infrequent driving like that can usher in premature water pump death. They don't take kindly to sitting for long periods.
Personally I wouldn't have replaced the gaskets without also swapping in a new pump on a 8 year old car.
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
My thoughts exactly! Ive never seen a pump gasket fail but,,,theres always a first time.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Southern California
I read on Corvetteforum that someone went through three gaskets on the driver's side before he fixed the leak. They're easy to install wrong, I guess.
Whenever something breaks, I see it as an opportunity to make it new again, so when I fixed my gaskets, I went ahead and bought a new pump (from NAPA). I looked over the old pump and didn't see any signs of a leak or failure, but I plan to keep my car forever, so I didn't mind buying a new pump.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Oilerville Edmonton
St. Jude Donor '08
