LT1 water pump question
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 84
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From: Durham, NC
LT1 water pump question Ok folks, this is about the only piece on the LT1 that baffles me. Sunday, my coolant light came on. I pull over to put some water in it to get me home, and I look down and see this.......
<img src="http://members.aol.com/camaross97hms//hose.jpeg" alt=" - " />
I was surprised to see that. My thermostat is only 2 years old or so (Hypertech 160). I figured that my hoses were just worn out. I went ahead and replaced both while I was into it. So I topped her off and bled it the best I could. Two days later, I dont need to add any coolant, but I notice I am leaking from somewhere. There is dexcool on my hood, and a mist that has been thrown about by the belt. I put it up on the lift to look for my leak while the car is running, and to my astonishment, I see the "seep hole" on the bottom of the water pump emitting a steady drip. Why?
I know the LT1's are harder to bleed out than the average SBC with forward cooling. Do I just not have the system completely bled out yet? I have changed the coolant before, twice, and never saw this problem.
FWIW, the water pump was replaced about 3 years ago.
TIA, Darren
<img src="http://members.aol.com/camaross97hms//hose.jpeg" alt=" - " />
I was surprised to see that. My thermostat is only 2 years old or so (Hypertech 160). I figured that my hoses were just worn out. I went ahead and replaced both while I was into it. So I topped her off and bled it the best I could. Two days later, I dont need to add any coolant, but I notice I am leaking from somewhere. There is dexcool on my hood, and a mist that has been thrown about by the belt. I put it up on the lift to look for my leak while the car is running, and to my astonishment, I see the "seep hole" on the bottom of the water pump emitting a steady drip. Why?
I know the LT1's are harder to bleed out than the average SBC with forward cooling. Do I just not have the system completely bled out yet? I have changed the coolant before, twice, and never saw this problem.
FWIW, the water pump was replaced about 3 years ago.
TIA, Darren
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: BLOOMFIELD, NY
Re: LT1 water pump question When coolant comes from that small hole on the bottom it means that your water pump is on the way out and it is just about time for repalcment.
If you have any other questions let me know.
Micah
<small>[ March 07, 2003, 08:03 PM: Message edited by: 96SCTA ]</small>
If you have any other questions let me know.
Micah
<small>[ March 07, 2003, 08:03 PM: Message edited by: 96SCTA ]</small>
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 84
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From: Durham, NC
Re: LT1 water pump question </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 96SCTA:
<strong> When coolant comes from a that small hole on the bottom it means that your water pump is on the way out and it is just about time for repalcment.
If you have any other questions let me know.
Micah </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That is NOT what I wanted to hear. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
Since I am not familiar with the actual function of the "seep" hole, would you care to explain? I always just figured it to be some kind of high pressure relief vent.
So.....what is the normal function of it? And why is it leaking steadily out of there when its now on the way out?
Thanks
<strong> When coolant comes from a that small hole on the bottom it means that your water pump is on the way out and it is just about time for repalcment.
If you have any other questions let me know.
Micah </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That is NOT what I wanted to hear. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
Since I am not familiar with the actual function of the "seep" hole, would you care to explain? I always just figured it to be some kind of high pressure relief vent.
So.....what is the normal function of it? And why is it leaking steadily out of there when its now on the way out?
Thanks
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From: That Southern Fried Space City
Re: LT1 water pump question Actually, Micah couldn't describe it any better. These pumps are a crap shoot as far as how long they last. Don't expect yours to last as long as the next person. The 'weeping' that is going on is very helpful and lets you know ahead of time instead of the pump just dying on you one day. Whatever you do, don't try to just get by with it for a few days. I tried that angle for a couple of days and out of the blue I was driving one day and happen to glance down to see the temp gauge heading straight for the red.I shut the car down and coasted into a parking lot and came and got the car later.
Re: LT1 water pump question </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 97 HMS SS:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 96SCTA:
<strong> When coolant comes from a that small hole on the bottom it means that your water pump is on the way out and it is just about time for repalcment.
If you have any other questions let me know.
Micah </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That is NOT what I wanted to hear. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
Since I am not familiar with the actual function of the "seep" hole, would you care to explain? I always just figured it to be some kind of high pressure relief vent.
So.....what is the normal function of it? And why is it leaking steadily out of there when its now on the way out?
Thanks </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I believe the water coming out the hole is water that is leaking past the bearing. So if water is coming out the hole, the bearing is shot. Get ready for an expensive pump; when I replaced mine they were $250, but I think the price has come down to around $150 now.
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 96SCTA:
<strong> When coolant comes from a that small hole on the bottom it means that your water pump is on the way out and it is just about time for repalcment.
If you have any other questions let me know.
Micah </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That is NOT what I wanted to hear. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
Since I am not familiar with the actual function of the "seep" hole, would you care to explain? I always just figured it to be some kind of high pressure relief vent.
So.....what is the normal function of it? And why is it leaking steadily out of there when its now on the way out?
Thanks </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I believe the water coming out the hole is water that is leaking past the bearing. So if water is coming out the hole, the bearing is shot. Get ready for an expensive pump; when I replaced mine they were $250, but I think the price has come down to around $150 now.
