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:

Water pump

Old Jul 3, 2020 | 11:31 PM
  #1  
1997 C5's Avatar
1997 C5
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 572
Likes: 28
From: Volo, Illinois
Default Water pump

How hard is it to replace water pump on 97 c5?
just did my oil change i noticed coolant on right sde bottom on frame. Traced to what looks like green coolant is leaking from water pump fron one of the smaller hose connects to.
what water pump would you recommend? Oem or aftermarket?

Any videos or firections out there that will help me out?

Can some one confirm it's water pump leaking?


Reply
Old Jul 3, 2020 | 11:56 PM
  #2  
sonicss33's Avatar
sonicss33
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 848
From: FL Keys
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

I would go OEM, simply because the one leaking is 23 years old. Good luck. Replace hoses too.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2020 | 12:06 AM
  #3  
StingrayRebel's Avatar
StingrayRebel
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Default

it could just be the hoses and/or clamps and not necessarily the pump that's leaking but it looks like you possibly have the wrong coolant as well, it might be a good idea to do a complete cooling system flush
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2020 | 01:03 AM
  #4  
1997 C5's Avatar
1997 C5
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 572
Likes: 28
From: Volo, Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by neutron82
it could just be the hoses and/or clamps and not necessarily the pump that's leaking but it looks like you possibly have the wrong coolant as well, it might be a good idea to do a complete cooling system flush
I'm hoping it's just the hose where it's leaking. What coolant should i use?
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2020 | 05:12 AM
  #5  
ncali's Avatar
ncali
Pro
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 674
Likes: 102
Default

you should be using DEXCOOl . it is orange. you must drain all of the green out flush it with water then put Dexcool and distilled water back in
if you mix green coolant and orange it will gum up the system
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2020 | 06:59 AM
  #6  
Ed Ramberger's Avatar
Ed Ramberger
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
Default

That looks like someone used RTV to seal the thermostat. Looks from the pic like the t-stat o-ring seal is leaking.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2020 | 07:35 AM
  #7  
69's Avatar
69
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 857
From: MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by ncali
you should be using DEXCOOl . it is orange. you must drain all of the green out flush it with water then put Dexcool and distilled water back in
if you mix green coolant and orange it will gum up the system
Yep agree coolant should NOT be green but orange in color...Note you can buy DEXCOOL already premixed with water added to a 50/50 solution if you want to go that route.
Before throwing parts at the car, run down to one of you local auto parts store and rent a cooling system "pressure tester" and with the car completely cool, perform the pressure test and you will find exactly where the leak is coming from.

Video Here...
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2020 | 05:24 PM
  #8  
SilverC54me's Avatar
SilverC54me
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 482
From: Brea CA
Default

Does your AC work?
If I am looking at the orientation of the pictures correctly, the green slime is on the bottom side of the hose and water pump housing. From the spray pattern, it kind of looks like the front seals of the AC Compressor have failed and slung AC oil and dye across that area.
If the coolant in the car is orange, then this is the most likely issue.

If the coolant is green it still can be the problem and like mentioned above you want to flush the cooling system to get the green coolant out and refill with Dexcool. I would be checking the AC compressor for leaks.

Gary
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 5, 2020 | 07:13 PM
  #9  
1997 C5's Avatar
1997 C5
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 572
Likes: 28
From: Volo, Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by SilverC54me
Does your AC work?
If I am looking at the orientation of the pictures correctly, the green slime is on the bottom side of the hose and water pump housing. From the spray pattern, it kind of looks like the front seals of the AC Compressor have failed and slung AC oil and dye across that area.
If the coolant in the car is orange, then this is the most likely issue.

If the coolant is green it still can be the problem and like mentioned above you want to flush the cooling system to get the green coolant out and refill with Dexcool. I would be checking the AC compressor for leaks.

Gary
Upon more detail inspection you are100% correc . The ac is leaking at the front seal at the compressor clutch and pil was skung all over. I checked the coolant and it is pink color. So looks like the green color i thought was coolant is ac oil and probably ac dye. On research i need to remove watwr pump to get the compressor out. Some one recommended me to go woth Delphi compressor. Do you have any recommemdation for what compressor and water pump to go with? I'm at 89,000 miles 23 year old pump i might well as replace water pump same time.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2020 | 12:23 AM
  #10  
jim993's Avatar
jim993
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
Default

While you have the water pump out and change the compressor, change the AC belt also. A much easier job than with all that stuff in the way.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2020 | 12:25 AM
  #11  
jim993's Avatar
jim993
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
Default

Additional info from another post-

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-leaking.html
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Water pump



Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:05 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 11:09:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE