C5 Corvette coolant leak
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 127
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From: California
C5 Corvette coolant leak
Got low coolant sign today. Didn't think anything of it at first. Hour later I filled it up to the mark (took whole gallon)
Started it up again, smoke started coming out the hood (evaporated coolant). Then I popped the hood to check where the leak was coming from, couldn't tell but I heard a whine from the water pump and liquid shooting up from that belt. Turned the car off immediately of course.
Towed it to a shop, will get it diagnosed Monday.
Questions:
1) what damage could I have done to the car by driving it in traffic for 1-2 hrs with low coolant level (temp was at a good level on the gauge)
2) if it is the water pump, what are my options for the new water pump selection (oem, non oem?), and which other parts do I need to order? As I said, some of the liquid got on the belt.
Started it up again, smoke started coming out the hood (evaporated coolant). Then I popped the hood to check where the leak was coming from, couldn't tell but I heard a whine from the water pump and liquid shooting up from that belt. Turned the car off immediately of course.
Towed it to a shop, will get it diagnosed Monday.
Questions:
1) what damage could I have done to the car by driving it in traffic for 1-2 hrs with low coolant level (temp was at a good level on the gauge)
2) if it is the water pump, what are my options for the new water pump selection (oem, non oem?), and which other parts do I need to order? As I said, some of the liquid got on the belt.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Got low coolant sign today. Didn't think anything of it at first. Hour later I filled it up to the mark (took whole gallon)
Started it up again, smoke started coming out the hood (evaporated coolant). Then I popped the hood to check where the leak was coming from, couldn't tell but I heard a whine from the water pump and liquid shooting up from that belt. Turned the car off immediately of course.
Towed it to a shop, will get it diagnosed Monday.
Questions:
1) what damage could I have done to the car by driving it in traffic for 1-2 hrs with low coolant level (temp was at a good level on the gauge) You are probably ok. You can have a leak all day long but if your temps are good then you have done no damage to your components.
2) if it is the water pump, what are my options for the new water pump selection (oem, non oem?), and which other parts do I need to order? As I said, some of the liquid got on the belt.
Started it up again, smoke started coming out the hood (evaporated coolant). Then I popped the hood to check where the leak was coming from, couldn't tell but I heard a whine from the water pump and liquid shooting up from that belt. Turned the car off immediately of course.
Towed it to a shop, will get it diagnosed Monday.
Questions:
1) what damage could I have done to the car by driving it in traffic for 1-2 hrs with low coolant level (temp was at a good level on the gauge) You are probably ok. You can have a leak all day long but if your temps are good then you have done no damage to your components.
2) if it is the water pump, what are my options for the new water pump selection (oem, non oem?), and which other parts do I need to order? As I said, some of the liquid got on the belt.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 127
Likes: 15
From: California
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 127
Likes: 15
From: California
Does anyone know the correct part number for the water pump? Google gives me conflicting results.
19195105
12681185
252-846
Do I also need to order anything else other than the pump and the belt? Are there some extra seals or gaskets that I'll need, or a new thermostat/water inlet?
Last edited by acefominC5; Sep 13, 2022 at 02:08 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 57
Likes: 17
From: Oregon
If the temp gauge stayed low, assuming the coolant was still circulating, it doesn't sound like you would have damaged the engine. If it really overheated you could have white smoke coming from the exhaust OR oil in the coolant, either one indicating a blown head gasket, the pistons could have seized from the head warping, or you could have coolant pouring out from a crack in the head. I think you're okay, but have it looked over when the repairs are done.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 127
Likes: 15
From: California
If the temp gauge stayed low, assuming the coolant was still circulating, it doesn't sound like you would have damaged the engine. If it really overheated you could have white smoke coming from the exhaust OR oil in the coolant, either one indicating a blown head gasket, the pistons could have seized from the head warping, or you could have coolant pouring out from a crack in the head. I think you're okay, but have it looked over when the repairs are done.
This auto shop is also trying to scam me; 380 for the water pump and 60 for the belt. Not even the quality GM replacement pump made in Mexico. The Chinese one that costs $70. Will be leaving a bad review for sure.
Thankfully there is an auto shop literally a block away that agreed to install the parts I'll bring, this is great news
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 57
Likes: 17
From: Oregon
I got a low oil sign right before the low coolant sign, 2-3 hr difference. Was 1.5 qts short on oil. This was to be expected because I haven't added oil in a minute but the timing seems strange. Hopefully it's not the head gasket
This auto shop is also trying to scam me; 380 for the water pump and 60 for the belt. Not even the quality GM replacement pump made in Mexico. The Chinese one that costs $70. Will be leaving a bad review for sure.
Thankfully there is an auto shop literally a block away that agreed to install the parts I'll bring, this is great news
This auto shop is also trying to scam me; 380 for the water pump and 60 for the belt. Not even the quality GM replacement pump made in Mexico. The Chinese one that costs $70. Will be leaving a bad review for sure.
Thankfully there is an auto shop literally a block away that agreed to install the parts I'll bring, this is great news
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 127
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From: California
That seems like an expensive water pump job to me too. Glad you found another place - hope it all goes well. And hopefully the oil light was a coincidence. I've had a few coincidences like that with car issues that led me down the wrong path and made diagnosis take much longer than it should have. The car gods like to play with us sometimes.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 57
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From: Oregon
Sorry, I have not done that job yet personally but I'm sure someone will chime in with some info.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 127
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From: California
If the temp gauge stayed low, assuming the coolant was still circulating, it doesn't sound like you would have damaged the engine. If it really overheated you could have white smoke coming from the exhaust OR oil in the coolant, either one indicating a blown head gasket, the pistons could have seized from the head warping, or you could have coolant pouring out from a crack in the head. I think you're okay, but have it looked over when the repairs are done.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
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From: California
Yessir. Gaskets come with the pump and I added in the thermostat when I first placed the order.
Off topic question, my car is parked in a place where catalytic converter get stolen fairly often. Would it be possible for a thief to steal a titanium catalytic converter?
Off topic question, my car is parked in a place where catalytic converter get stolen fairly often. Would it be possible for a thief to steal a titanium catalytic converter?
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 57
Likes: 17
From: Oregon
Yessir. Gaskets come with the pump and I added in the thermostat when I first placed the order.
Off topic question, my car is parked in a place where catalytic converter get stolen fairly often. Would it be possible for a thief to steal a titanium catalytic converter?
Off topic question, my car is parked in a place where catalytic converter get stolen fairly often. Would it be possible for a thief to steal a titanium catalytic converter?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 127
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From: California
Right. Man I really hope that the engine did not get damaged when I drove it. By the time I realized what happened, there was still some coolant in the system, but no pressure. Getting a new pump installed this week, let's see what happens.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 127
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From: California
Right. Man I really hope that the engine did not get damaged when I drove it. By the time I realized what happened, there was still some coolant in the system, but no pressure. Drove it for 1 hour and some change like that. Getting a new pump installed this week, let's see what happens.
Last edited by acefominC5; Sep 27, 2022 at 01:46 AM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2022
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I just replaced my water pump and thermostat. I discovered that the thermostat I got didn't work with the original thermostat housing so I had to by a new housing.that worked with the replacement thermostat. It was bizzare.
Word of warning. There is a about a half inch rubber hose that come from the radiator (next to the main hose on the top) to the throttle body. The connector on the radiator is PLASTIC (at least on my year) and snaps off easily. Make sure they don't break it. Don't ask me why I know that, lol.
I recommend replacing the spring tensioner also if it has a lot of miles on it. Check all the pullies for bad bearings (noisy and/or loose). I replaced all of them since I was doing a harmonic balancer replacement, so it was easy to do.
Word of warning. There is a about a half inch rubber hose that come from the radiator (next to the main hose on the top) to the throttle body. The connector on the radiator is PLASTIC (at least on my year) and snaps off easily. Make sure they don't break it. Don't ask me why I know that, lol.
I recommend replacing the spring tensioner also if it has a lot of miles on it. Check all the pullies for bad bearings (noisy and/or loose). I replaced all of them since I was doing a harmonic balancer replacement, so it was easy to do.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 938
From: Orlando Florida
It’s also fairly common for the tee on the bottom of the recovery tank to break from the hoses being moved around. Not really a mechanic’s fault, just 20+ year old constantly hot plastic. If you have to replace the tank, be sure to get the right one - they are year specific.
Thread Starter
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From: California
Good news, a new water pump did it. No more leak & the system holds pressure.
There is also no engine damage because there was still coolant in the system by the time I stopped they said
There is also no engine damage because there was still coolant in the system by the time I stopped they said