2007 C6 water pump / coolant system question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 694
2007 C6 water pump / coolant system question
Well, I started up my car in storage about 4 weeks ago and today as well.
I let it run for about 40 minutes in the driveway and then backed it in. I have been doing this for years. But last time after I put the car away after running it for 40 minutes, I had the odor of coolant (kinda sweet smell) that filled the garage. I looked and no leaks under the hood or on the ground. This time when I took out the car and let it run and put it away, there was no smell. Arrrrggghhh!!!
I will be taking it to the dealer for a free checkup of the coolant system it 4 or 5 weeks when I take it out of storage. What should I / they be looking for. All hoses that I can see are leak free and coolant level is perfect, coolant cap is on tight, car temp runs 195 F after running 40 minutes and did not budge, no drips under car and no coolant spots under the hood.
I have read other coolant posts that the water pump may be bad or the gasket is leaking slightly. (I see no leaks around pump)
Any ideas. Do I have a bad water pump?
I let it run for about 40 minutes in the driveway and then backed it in. I have been doing this for years. But last time after I put the car away after running it for 40 minutes, I had the odor of coolant (kinda sweet smell) that filled the garage. I looked and no leaks under the hood or on the ground. This time when I took out the car and let it run and put it away, there was no smell. Arrrrggghhh!!!
I will be taking it to the dealer for a free checkup of the coolant system it 4 or 5 weeks when I take it out of storage. What should I / they be looking for. All hoses that I can see are leak free and coolant level is perfect, coolant cap is on tight, car temp runs 195 F after running 40 minutes and did not budge, no drips under car and no coolant spots under the hood.
I have read other coolant posts that the water pump may be bad or the gasket is leaking slightly. (I see no leaks around pump)
Any ideas. Do I have a bad water pump?
Last edited by c54u; Feb 23, 2013 at 07:42 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 37
From: skiatook oklahoma
for hoses and clamps they can do a pressure test. but for all practical purposes, you will see orange goop for a slow ooze that has been going on for awhile. Or just wet moisture for new leaks. I found mine finally when the goop became obvious. Others can reply about water pumps but for orange goop due to a ooze...
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Well, I started up my car in storage about 4 weeks ago and today as well.
I let it run for about 40 minutes in the driveway and then backed it in. I have been doing this for years. But last time after I put the car away after running it for 40 minutes, I had the odor of coolant (kinda sweet smell) that filled the garage. I looked and no leaks under the hood or on the ground. This time when I took out the car and let it run and put it away, there was no smell. Arrrrggghhh!!!
I will be taking it to the dealer for a free checkup of the coolant system it 4 or 5 weeks when I take it out of storage. What should I / they be looking for. All hoses that I can see are leak free and coolant level is perfect, coolant cap is on tight, car temp runs 195 F after running 40 minutes and did not budge, no drips under car and no coolant spots under the hood.
I have read other coolant posts that the water pump may be bad or the gasket is leaking slightly. (I see no leaks around pump)
Any ideas. Do I have a bad water pump?
I let it run for about 40 minutes in the driveway and then backed it in. I have been doing this for years. But last time after I put the car away after running it for 40 minutes, I had the odor of coolant (kinda sweet smell) that filled the garage. I looked and no leaks under the hood or on the ground. This time when I took out the car and let it run and put it away, there was no smell. Arrrrggghhh!!!
I will be taking it to the dealer for a free checkup of the coolant system it 4 or 5 weeks when I take it out of storage. What should I / they be looking for. All hoses that I can see are leak free and coolant level is perfect, coolant cap is on tight, car temp runs 195 F after running 40 minutes and did not budge, no drips under car and no coolant spots under the hood.
I have read other coolant posts that the water pump may be bad or the gasket is leaking slightly. (I see no leaks around pump)
Any ideas. Do I have a bad water pump?
There's a simple way and a more involved way of checking it:
Simple (and less conclusive)
Pull your dipstick to see if the oil looks clean and you can also pull the plastic hose from the front of the passenger side valve cover as well. If there is coolant mixing with your oil you might be able to see traces of what looks like a milkshake in that little pipe.
More Involved
This requires actually pulling off one of your valve covers to look underneath. Although you have to remove more parts (plug wires, coil packs and valve cover bolts) if you've got a head gasket leak then you'll know for sure as the underside of the valve cover will be covered in goo.
Hope that helps.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 694
I only get the sweet smell after the car has been shut down after running it. No white colored smoke is coming from the exhaust and no smell from exhaust.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
I had the same thing happen to my LS2. Every now and then, I would smell coolant, but could never find where it was leaking. After driving it all summer, (about 4-5000 mi), occasionally, I started to notice a few drops of coolant on the garage floor. I still couldn't see where the leak was originating, so after tightening up all the hose clamps, checking under the car, I saw that the pulleys were wet looking.
I saw a few traces of coolant on the belts and pulleys, so I checked the thermostat housing and it appeared to be moist, so I replaced the thermostat O ring, thinking I had found the problem.
A few days afterwards, there it was again...a few drops of coolant on the garage floor. Now I had a suspicion that it was the water pump seal, but really hard to see the weep hole tell tale. I decided to do a 24hour pressure test of the system, and sure enough, I could see a small trace of coolant coming from behind the pump.
I replaced the pump, and no problems since.
This is what the back of the pump looked like when I had it off the car.
See how the coolant had caked on, so this was telling me it had been this way for a long time.
I suspect yours is probably the same thing.
Good Luck
[IMG]
[/IMG]
I saw a few traces of coolant on the belts and pulleys, so I checked the thermostat housing and it appeared to be moist, so I replaced the thermostat O ring, thinking I had found the problem.
A few days afterwards, there it was again...a few drops of coolant on the garage floor. Now I had a suspicion that it was the water pump seal, but really hard to see the weep hole tell tale. I decided to do a 24hour pressure test of the system, and sure enough, I could see a small trace of coolant coming from behind the pump.
I replaced the pump, and no problems since.
This is what the back of the pump looked like when I had it off the car.
See how the coolant had caked on, so this was telling me it had been this way for a long time.
I suspect yours is probably the same thing.
Good Luck
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 9
From: Wichita Falls, TX
i just did a pressure test on my Vette and found a coolant leak coming from the radiator. I'll be making a appointment at the dealer next week. I notice a small drip in the garage a few days ago and decide to investigate which brought me where I'm now.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 693
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles CA
check water pump by flashing light from back angle to see behind/inside the big wheel and you may see coolant gathered at the bottom of that wheel. (i am on my 3rd water pump, seems to go bad every ~60,000 miles)
otherwise, look for any coolant on either sides of the radiator, since the plastic part of the tank can develop crack. (i am on my 3rd radiator, thankfully got smart and put in a dewitts. oem radiator plastic sides seem to go bad every ~60,000~70,000 miles)
otherwise, look for any coolant on either sides of the radiator, since the plastic part of the tank can develop crack. (i am on my 3rd radiator, thankfully got smart and put in a dewitts. oem radiator plastic sides seem to go bad every ~60,000~70,000 miles)
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