I just pulled in the driveway from work, and my wife said something was leaking from the front...so I put it up on ramps right away and get under, and antifreeze is pouring out of a hole at the bottom of what I THINK is the water pump. It's a small hole, maybe 1/4" in diameter if that. Looks like the hole is supposed to be there, but I'll be damned If I know what its for and more importantly, why antifreeze is pouring out of it. Some background info: I've only had the car for a few months, but I've suspected there is oil in my antifreeze, as it is dark, maple syrup colored. However there is no evidence whatsoever of any antifreeze in the oil. This morning, on my way to work, the heat didn't come on as soon as it usually does. Also..after turning the car off, it eventually stopped leaking. I topped off the radiator with water and filled the reservoir, and started it again. Took maybe 5 minutes, then it started leaking again. Is my water pump shot? Is that hole some sort of pressure relief valve? Is it possible that my thermostat isn't opening and causing this? I don't know the water pumps in these very well at all so I'm looking for ideas. Not too many driveable weeks left here in ny..what a time for this to happen...lol. Thanks in advance for any ideas/advice!


Also - I have a pretty good pic of the hole I'm talking about, I'll post a link to it in a few.

 

The pump is gone. You can buy a new stock pump or install a electric pump and gain a little HP. The electric pump is about the same price. I have a csr pump with over 20k on it. You need to cut a little of the fan away for it to fit; no big deal. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CSR-9...Q5fAccessories A re manufactured pump can be had for less though http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/corve...Q5fAccessories

 

That is called the waterpump weep hole. It is natural for it to leak there when the pump is worn out. It needs replacing.

 

Weep hole..lol. That's a good and appropriate freakin' name for it. Man, this sucks. Well, I guess I'll make the best of a bad situation and replace my plugs while I'm at it, flush n fill, maybe even a cam replacement since I'll have a lot of crap out of the way anyway. And I'll get to know and love shoebox's site while I'm at it. Thanks guys!

 

If you are going to replace all that..do not forget the optispark..

 

Well...I thought about it, but that kinda ups the cost quite a bit. The opti got saturated, no doubt. Antifreeze was pouring right off it but the engine still runs fine. I actually took it through a carwash 2 weeks ago and unknown to me, the cheapest option (it was a laserwash) included an undercar wash. Imagine my surprise when I heard the water hitting the bottom of the car and the engine started idling rough. Never died though and by the time I got home it was fine.

As far as the waterpump...I'm torn between going electric and just replacing it with the stock one. Is the benefit of the elec worth the extra cost?

 

One other thing..is it possible for a bad/going water pump to cause a small oil leak? Sorry if that sounds stupid, but I've had a very small oil leak that seems to be coming from the water pump area also. Haven't been able to pinpoint it but when I get into replacing the pump I'm sure I'll see where it's coming from.

 

You may want to consider just changing the cap and rotor on the opti then. You will have to take it off anyway if you are going to be changing the cam. It is possible to get a little leakage if the seal that surrounds the waterpump drive is worn out. Good luck on everything...you will enjoy learning your LT1...

 

I know some of you guys don't think too highly of autozone, but in the interest of getting this thing back on the road quickly so I don't have to wait for shipping (winter's comin), I got this one: http://tinyurl.com/yjnpfo5

Picking it up tomorrow. Now, I notice shoebox doesn't have a waterpump replacement ritual on his site...autozone does but the details are somewhat lacking. Is there a link to a good replacement procedure out there?

 

hi there

if you cannot do a whole opti now, at least do a cap and rotor. Your at mileage now that the cap and rotor are wearing out. Don't forget to locktite the screws if you do replace it. I have a new gm cap and rotor for sale. $85.00 plus shipping. The go for amost double. I can provide pics.

thanks

andy schuck

 

Andy, can the opti be done after the water pump, or does the water pump need to be out to do it? I'd like to get this running again this weekend, but If I have to wait for the cap/rotor, that won't happen. But If I can do the water pump this weekend, I'll have the cap/rotor for the next time I tear it apart.

 

The waterpump has to be out in order to change the cap and rotor on the opti.

 

Alright, I'm convinced. The MSD cap/rotor should go right on to what I have, right? Autozone has that, not too sure about their "duralast' cap/rotor set they have though. May replace the wires w/msd too, they're soaked in oil/antifreeze.

 

Well scratch that..duralast cap/rotor it is...they don't have the msd locally and I have to get this done this weekend. Working the next couple weekends.

 

The duralast cap and rotor will work fine. Just be sure to use some loctite on the rotor screws.

You will need a reverse torx socket..size E4 and a torx bit size T9