Water pump time (leaking coolant)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 248
Likes: 20
From: Waco Texas
Water pump time (leaking coolant)
I bought this car 14 months ago (2007 C6 Z51 mn6 55k miles) and has been prefect other than replacing tires and alignment. Now has 67k miles.
Moved it out of my shop so I could fire up my race car that I just got the engine running again this weekend (a back-haft 65 El Camino 540 ci two foggers) and there it was, a puddle of coolant.
Quick check confirmed water pump is leaking.
I will be getting a brand new GM pump (no rebuilds for me).
Replacing it doesn't look to hard, but I have never worked on an LS engine before (mostly big and small block chevys and Deutz diesels). Is there any thing I need to pay special attention to? I also plan on replacing the thermostat and belts also. Looks pretty straight forward but any info would be appreciated.
Moved it out of my shop so I could fire up my race car that I just got the engine running again this weekend (a back-haft 65 El Camino 540 ci two foggers) and there it was, a puddle of coolant.
Quick check confirmed water pump is leaking.
I will be getting a brand new GM pump (no rebuilds for me).
Replacing it doesn't look to hard, but I have never worked on an LS engine before (mostly big and small block chevys and Deutz diesels). Is there any thing I need to pay special attention to? I also plan on replacing the thermostat and belts also. Looks pretty straight forward but any info would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
Pretty straight forward removal of thermostat, (2 bolts) and water pump (6 bolts). The belt tensioner has to be removed from the old water pump housing, (2 bolts) and installed on the new water pump housing. Re-installation is pretty easy as well. The only thing you have to be careful on installing the new pump, is getting the gaskets lined up. I used aflat head hole punch to keep the gasket in line with the bolt holes. The theromstat has no flange gasket. It uses the thermostat O-ring gasket to seal, so make sure there is no dirt in the housing which would prevent a good seal.
BTW, my pump started leaking at the seal at 30K. A very small leak that was almost undetectable, but I could smell the coolant when i pulled in my garage, and stopped the car. I did a coolant pressure test, and finally saw the drip coming from behind the water pump pulley.
A pic of the front showing the thermostat housing and pump.
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BTW, my pump started leaking at the seal at 30K. A very small leak that was almost undetectable, but I could smell the coolant when i pulled in my garage, and stopped the car. I did a coolant pressure test, and finally saw the drip coming from behind the water pump pulley.
A pic of the front showing the thermostat housing and pump.
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Last edited by 4SUMERZ; Nov 5, 2012 at 08:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 248
Likes: 20
From: Waco Texas
Thanks LV for the info and pic.
The pump has probably been seeping a little for the last 2 weeks but just now making to the ground. I had notice the check charging system had shown up twice on some hard pulls (6000-6500 rpm in third gear), figured it was belt slippage.
The pump has probably been seeping a little for the last 2 weeks but just now making to the ground. I had notice the check charging system had shown up twice on some hard pulls (6000-6500 rpm in third gear), figured it was belt slippage.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
Water pump replacement
I agree with LV2TOUR.
Having done it myself, this is a pretty straightforward job.
I would add/recommend that you consider new hose clamps as well. They are a pain to get off, and if they are old, may not clamp as strong when replaced.
BTW I bought my water pump from the dealer. From the dealer, the water pump came with the thermostat.
Having done it myself, this is a pretty straightforward job.
I would add/recommend that you consider new hose clamps as well. They are a pain to get off, and if they are old, may not clamp as strong when replaced.
BTW I bought my water pump from the dealer. From the dealer, the water pump came with the thermostat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
Either way, cable-operated hose clamp pliers like the Snap-On SHCP1 make dealing with them easy. You can struggle with Channel-Locks but these are the right tool for the job and a nice-to-have in the tool box. Also available cheaper from all the usual suspects.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 248
Likes: 20
From: Waco Texas
I had no problem changing the pump and belts. Used the old clamps, just made sure they were in the same spot on the hoses into the recesses they had created.
Ordered a A/C Delco pump on line (came with new thermostat and gaskets), $297.00 to the door. Dealer price was $384.00 plus tax.
Already put around 600 miles on it with no problems.
Ordered a A/C Delco pump on line (came with new thermostat and gaskets), $297.00 to the door. Dealer price was $384.00 plus tax.
Already put around 600 miles on it with no problems.
