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.......



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

 

you need another water pump

 

If the weep hole is leaking you need a new waterpump. If the coolant isn't bleed completely the car will just over heat right away. Bleeding the system has nothing to do with the waterpump leaking. Might as well order a new opti too.

 

So which electric pump did you guys go with? I dont want to have to modify anything.

 

Just get a stock one if you don't want to modify anything. The electric one basically sits on top of the original one.

 

The electric ones requires some modification. The meziere requires cutting a section on the fan shroud for clearance. The csi requires grinding 4 small notches in the pump housing and of course wiring er' up.

 

Thanks guys.

 

how do you bleed the system????

 

You can see both bleeder screws in this pic......



Just run the vehicle with the heat wide open (circulates through heater core), and keep opening and closing the screws. You should get alot of air out with some coolant, but just keep repeating until you get a stream of coolant flowing. Also, dont over torque the screws.......brass strips easy.