Water pump leaks
Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,516
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From: Press "2" for English
Water pump leaks
Looked but couldn't find any sticky on replacing the water pump.
Is it as easy as a 1st gen SBC? (even if it's 4x as expensive). Local store has one for $182 (dayum!).
Is it as easy as a 1st gen SBC? (even if it's 4x as expensive). Local store has one for $182 (dayum!).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 3
From: Gastonia NC
St. Jude Donor '10
Real easy. I used this thread when I did mine.
Most of it is self-explanatory but the thread does link to the torque specs for the bolts.
John
Most of it is self-explanatory but the thread does link to the torque specs for the bolts.
John
Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,516
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From: Press "2" for English
Thanks. Looked at it and it looks pretty straight forward. Just haven't poked all that far into an LS motor. Can't believe this thing only has about 45k on the motor and it's already starting to leak.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 6
From: Oilerville Edmonton
St. Jude Donor '08
I get a negative response every time I post this but Cory (Wayne Gretz) had a leak in his Z. it only had about 30k miles on it. we replaced only the gaskets and he has driven it for another 5k miles or so and there are no leaks. we believed the pump was not leaking due to the location of the leak-as it is sort of common on the LS based on research on CF. some on here say replace the pump while your there but to throw away a perfectly good pump is just stupid and wasteful. figure out where the leak is. if it is coming from the gasket area, try the gaskets first. it is a simple job so if you have to do it twice, it shouldn't be a big deal. the upside is you could save $200
just my $.02
just my $.02
Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Press "2" for English
At $180 for a pump I would be game for that. But this is almost certainly the seal. I was changing out the belt and I got drips from the inside of the pulley. 
I've kind of been noticing this for a little while now because the belt always appears damp. Fortunately, it's still a pretty small leak but summer is coming. Crap.
I've kind of been noticing this for a little while now because the belt always appears damp. Fortunately, it's still a pretty small leak but summer is coming. Crap.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
At $180 for a pump I would be game for that. But this is almost certainly the seal. I was changing out the belt and I got drips from the inside of the pulley. I've kind of been noticing this for a little while now because the belt always appears damp. Fortunately, it's still a pretty small leak but summer is coming. Crap.
I've kind of been noticing this for a little while now because the belt always appears damp. Fortunately, it's still a pretty small leak but summer is coming. Crap.Good news: You can use the new style metal/silicone gaskets (NO sealant needed)
Bad news: You gotta scrape all that old paper gasket material off the block.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 6
From: Oilerville Edmonton
St. Jude Donor '08
At $180 for a pump I would be game for that. But this is almost certainly the seal. I was changing out the belt and I got drips from the inside of the pulley. I've kind of been noticing this for a little while now because the belt always appears damp. Fortunately, it's still a pretty small leak but summer is coming. Crap.
I've kind of been noticing this for a little while now because the belt always appears damp. Fortunately, it's still a pretty small leak but summer is coming. Crap.Corvette Stories
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Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,516
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From: Press "2" for English
Love the car and all, but for expense and reliability, I trust my '81 more.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
The water pump on my low mileage '01 started leaking coolant from the shaft seal, while in winter storage, a few years ago.
I bought a new pump to replace it, but somehow the leaking stopped after I ran it the following Spring, and it's been been dry ever since.
My new pump is still sitting in it's box 3 years later.
I bought a new pump to replace it, but somehow the leaking stopped after I ran it the following Spring, and it's been been dry ever since.
My new pump is still sitting in it's box 3 years later.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 4
From: Always in my lane.
At $180 for a pump I would be game for that. But this is almost certainly the seal. I was changing out the belt and I got drips from the inside of the pulley. I've kind of been noticing this for a little while now because the belt always appears damp. Fortunately, it's still a pretty small leak but summer is coming. Crap.
I've kind of been noticing this for a little while now because the belt always appears damp. Fortunately, it's still a pretty small leak but summer is coming. Crap.
Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,516
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Haven't bought a pump yet. $107 is a dang sight better than what I'm getting locally, by about $80. I'm probably going to have to let this go for another month or so until I recover from the expense of the AC compressor.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Always in my lane.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,522
Likes: 1,195
From: Dyer, IN
Did you get a new water pump with the engine, or did they transfer over you original pump?
Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,516
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From: Press "2" for English
Well I thought i would give you another option. Im usually getting my parts from either Amazon or Rock auto. Also if my memory serves, Rock Auto has a Carbone rebuilt for under $100, so it just depends on which way you want to go. As long as its not leaking big puddles you should be okay in the short term. Good luck.
Not sure, but I was told it was a complete crate engine.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
If they used your old 2001 water pump, the thermostat and water inlet housing will have a one piece design. The thermostat can not be removed separately from the housing.
Beginning in 2004, OEM water pumps included a thermostat that can be removed from the water inlet housing.
All new replacement GM water pumps are now the second design, and can be used in year C5.
Beginning in 2004, OEM water pumps included a thermostat that can be removed from the water inlet housing.
All new replacement GM water pumps are now the second design, and can be used in year C5.
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 92
Likes: 2
From: Anderson SC
Location of coolant leak
If the water pump is bad, you would find coolant leaking under the waterpump bell, correct? My engine is leaking coolant it seems well below that location the best I can tell, so possibly the leak is coming from where the pump mounts to the engine block.
I have had my car up on ramps trying to determine the exact location of the leak and am still not certain of the spot, but after reading this post I am now inclined to try and just replace the water pump gaskets.
I am open to your thoughts/comments of how to best determine the exact location of my leaking LS1.
I have had my car up on ramps trying to determine the exact location of the leak and am still not certain of the spot, but after reading this post I am now inclined to try and just replace the water pump gaskets.
I am open to your thoughts/comments of how to best determine the exact location of my leaking LS1.
Last edited by Boodieman; Jun 3, 2011 at 03:46 PM.
