I just finished installing some Pacesetter Longtubes yesterday, and after I pulled it off of the drive on lift, i noticed a small trail of liquids. There was dirt on the ground so I couldn't tell what type. After getting home from school today and letting it sit for 10 minutes or so, I looked underneath and noticed a tiny puddle. The amount was really small, as if you filled the cap of a pepsi bottle up and poured it out. The car never leaked before the install, so that and the fact that I didnt drain the coolant or mess with anything that involves it really in any way. The tiny puddle is in the middle of the car, as if it came from the waterpump, but I can't see any indication as to where the leak is coming from. I just don't want it to somehow ruin my recently installed optispark. ANY thoughts/sugggestions are welcome. Thanks.

 

Positive it is coolant, maybe you just left a trail of water?

 

Positive. I pushed the car back a few feet and could plainly see it was green. If the pump was going out, wouldn't it leak more.

 

Did you check the weep hole on the bottom of the water pump? When water pumps are on their way out they will leak from the weep hole.

Also when you installed your new opti did you seal the threads to the bolts on the wp? I forgot to seal mine once and had a slow leak from the bolts.

 

If the pump was bad, it could be spitting some coolant out of the small weep hole on the underside of the pump. When you did the headers, you didn't take the coolant temp sensor out of the drivers side head by chance, did you?

 

No, I just unplugged the sensor in the head, didn't have to remove it. The opti was installed by a shop in a nearby town. The guy who did is an LT1 nut and has done several this year alone, so I don't think it would be the bolt holes. I've looked at the pump, but can't really see the weep hole, any reference pics? Also, if it was the water pump, wouldn't the temps be hotter then normal, because my temp gauge is always around 180, and doesn't get much hotter during city driving.

 

The weephole is a small hole at the bottom of the wp in the center section. If you got underneath the car and looked upwards towards the wp you should be able to see it. Pretty much the only hole you'll find on the wp.

As for not overheating, the wp hasn't died yet but when they are on their way out they usually will leak from the weep hole, kind of giving you a heads up its gonna die.

 

Found the weep hole, doesn't look as if it has been leaking, but the coolant could have already dried up. I'll take it for a spin later and when I come back I'll crawl under the car and see if thats where it's leaking. Could the gaskets also be going bad instead, since they were replaced when the pump was off for the opti install? Maybe they are defective, but wouldn't the leak be much more noticable and not as close to the middle of the car? One last thing, since the opti is new, if I take it to the shop again or do the wp install myself, will rags and such be sufficient enough to protect the opti from the coolant that will leak out. Thanks for all your help so far guys, really appreciate it.

 

Take it for a ride and give it a good inspection. Who knows, maybe it is something as simple as a hose needing a little tightening.

 

Okay, took it for a ride, came back and no leaks. Went back out few hours later and got a few good WOT runs along with another cruise, came back and no leaks either. If the pump was going out, would it leak everytime the engine is started or would it only leak after the engine has been running for a while???? Just thought it was kind of weird that it hasn't leaked anymore yet. Checked the coolant resovoir and it says its still full. The only indication to a previous leak was a tiny drop of coolant still clinging to the underside of the bottom plug boot at the opti on the passenger side. Should I worry anymore ????

 

just keep an eye on your level, It could be a slow leak from any hose or connection. My heater core leak started out slow and eventually got big enough to spot. It was leaking out the front side by the fire wall. (it helped getting the car hot and hauling *** for a while and then shutting down to find it)

You will know if the leak gets big enough because it will put air in the system.