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I started out with a small leak at the waterpump on my '98 that got progressively worse. I decided to replace the gaskets which may have worked had I not used the incorrect torque spec of 22lbs. It has been a comedy of errors but in my search for a solution on the third trip to get gaskets the parts guy at the dealership asked me if I wanted the regular or new style gaskets. The new ones are recommended for '99 and up but the waterpump part number is the same all the way through '03 so I decided to give it a try and they worked like a champ. Rather than being paper the newer style is metal with a rubber seal around the ports. The part number is 12559271. And by the way the correct torque on the six bolts is 30ftlbs.
I also found out that if you break one of the bolts for the thermostat housing it is not available through GM, and does not come with a new waterpump or thermostat so be careful.
So the problem was not with the pump at all, just the gaskets? I can't tell exactly where my leak is coming from, just that it is around the pump. I'd like to save ~$125 on a new pump but it seems like a lot of things need to come off to get at the pump so I don't want to have to do it twice. Could someone give a brief explanation as to what comes off to get at it?
I started out with a small leak at the waterpump on my '98 that got progressively worse. I decided to replace the gaskets which may have worked had I not used the incorrect torque spec of 22lbs. It has been a comedy of errors but in my search for a solution on the third trip to get gaskets the parts guy at the dealership asked me if I wanted the regular or new style gaskets. The new ones are recommended for '99 and up but the waterpump part number is the same all the way through '03 so I decided to give it a try and they worked like a champ. Rather than being paper the newer style is metal with a rubber seal around the ports. The part number is 12559271. And by the way the correct torque on the six bolts is 30ftlbs.
I also found out that if you break one of the bolts for the thermostat housing it is not available through GM, and does not come with a new waterpump or thermostat so be careful.
When you get a new pump, you get new ... composite gaskets.....pump thermostat and housing and of course new bolts all assembled and ready to bolt on... ,,,,it's nice to have an extended warranty