FlamingGoatBalls Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 I noticed the other day that I was leaking coolant when I got back from vacation. When I checked the tank I was almost completely out of coolant! Ive been away for a little ahile and Im not sure how long its been leaking or how badly although there was a considerable amount of coolant built up on my engine parts under the water pump after a hard drive on a hot day (didnt know it was leaking yet). My auto 100 teacher looked at it the other day and the only thing he can see is a slight seepage on the bottom of the water pump. Should my pump be replace or can it be taken off and resealed and reseated? Either way ive never done anything like that before...how do I do it? Details please....thanks guys P.S. I wanna be like you fellas! hheheheh Horray for auto 100 class! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 I experienced the same thing (slight seepage from the main pump seal, on the pulley side). I went ahead and replaced the pump, although mine wasn't leaking nearly as bad as yours. In fact, my low coolant light never came on...I just noticed a few drips of coolant when parked overnight. That's no good to me, so I went ahead and replaced the pump. It's a pretty easy job, far easier than any other water pump I've ever replaced. Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 If the coolant is leaking on the left side of the engine, it is most likely the water pump seal is failing and the water pump will need to be replaced. The Northstar water pump is the easiest water pump to change but you must have the water pump tool. Snap-on sells one for about $70 or you can get a cheapie Lisle brand for about $25 at any auto parts store. Remove the water pump housing cover, water pump belt and use the tool to unclock and remove the pump. When looking at the pump, totate the pump CLOCKWISE to remove it and COUNTERCLOCKWISE to install the new pump. If the cooling system was neglected, you may need an impact wrench to unclock the pump cartridge. The seal on the pump cover is a reuseable rubber bead. While the system is empty, add two tubes of the Bar's Leaks golden seal to the LOWER radiator hose. Do not put it into the surge tank. Fill the system with coolant mixed 50/50 with distilled water. Rev the engine 5 or 6 times to 3000 RPM to purge the air from the system. The coolant level should be about 1-1/2" down from the neck in the surge tank. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
careldo Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 FLAMINGGOATBALLS too funny how did you come up with that please don't take offense but i couldn't help myself-- its Friday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 If you REALLY want to be "like us" you're going to have to get a new name....LOL....none of us want to be associated with goatballs.....flaming or otherwise....LOL I'll second that! Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CadiKing Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 I 3dr That GoatHead! jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlamingGoatBalls Posted April 23, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Yeah...FlamingGoatBalls has been my SN on AOL instant messenger since i was about 14 or 15......just turned 20 here. Perhaps its time for a change. On the other hand everyone remembers it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlamingGoatBalls Posted April 23, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 & BTW thanks for the replies. Can I rent the tool that I need from autozone or something like that? Id hate to buy it to use it one time before I lose it....or sell it to satisfy my eBay habit. You suppose they have a support board like this one for chronic eBay abusers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CadiKing Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Flaming. May I call You Flaming for Short? I belive you can "rent" the tool through this web site, or try auto parts stores... I rarely buy a specialty tool, rather spend the money on premium gas for my Cady! jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike5514 Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Maybe Im missing something here It seems to me that the first thing I would check is the water pump housing had that happen on my 97 sls got a gasket from the dealer problem solved easy repair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlamingGoatBalls Posted April 23, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Im going to try to find my digital camera....perhaps I sold it. Ill post a pic of exactly what im talking about...would that help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Time for a new water pump. Once it starts leaking thru the weep hole the bearing failure is not far behind......do it now before it seizes up and strands you. Bill, Mine has been "weeping" for about 2 years. Just a drop or two when I shut it down. The surge tank level never seems to drop (If it does. it's so small that I can't tell). I'm just waiting for it to get worse. I assume it is comming from the pump seal (can't see the darn thing or the weep hole). It somewhat stopped (for a while) last year when I changed coolant and added sealant pellets, but it has started again. Anyway, I am keeping an eye on it for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marika Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 I'm trying to imagine what flaminggoatballs look and smell like....LOLOLOLOL!!!!!! If you really want to make people safe drivers again then simply remove all the safety features from cars. No more seat belts, ABS brakes, traction control, air bags or stability control. No more anything. You'll see how quickly people will slow down and once again learn to drive like "normal" humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Hank Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 I'm trying to imagine what flaminggoatballs look and smell like....LOLOLOLOL!!!!!! Nothing Kraft barbecue sauce can't fix... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 I'm trying to imagine what flaminggoatballs look and smell like....LOLOLOLOL!!!!!! I can imagine what they must look like but I shudder to think of the smell. Man, you gotta get a new name!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
growe3 Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 A word of caution. When you remove the water pump cover, often the seal will come out of the groove. If that happens usually you can not get it back in the groove, it swells. I was not able to find a replacement seal from any of the local dealers (6) or online. The fix is, you have to buy the new style aluminum cover, which has a different shape seal. I think it was about $40 or so. The water pump is about $75. If you got desperate you could cut the extra length that the seal has swollen and use silicone sealer, but I would not reccommend it. -George Drive'em like you own 'em. - ....................04 DTS............................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Hank Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 The fix is, you have to buy the new style aluminum cover, which has a different shape seal. I think it was about $40 or so. The water pump is about $75. I repaired my '93 NS, and I got a quote of about $ 260 for the new style thermostat cover from a local dealership. Luckily, I was able to remove it safely, and I rejuvenatwd it with vaseline. It is a proprietary shape (not round), so you will not find a replacment from a bearing shop. Similar to what Bbobynski stated, if you can re-use the thermostat housing O-ring, use a gasket sealer over it, to assure a seal, that's what I did three years ago, and it is still holding. My original leak was on the pulley side, where an O-ring groove is machined into the water pump housing, and takes a round o-ring seal upon the twist-on application of the water pump cartridge/pulley assembly. As J. Adcock pointed out, the easiest water pump change-out I've ever encountered, and I have had many. I think I bought the aftermarket cartidge insert for $ 69. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Hank Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Luckily, I was able to remove it safely, and I rejuvenatwd it with vaseline. It is a proprietary shape (not round), so you will not find a replacment from a bearing shop. Oops, ...what I was talking about was rejuvenating the existing thermostat housing O-ring, a very unique and proprietary shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlamingGoatBalls Posted April 24, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Im a bit confused as to where the seep hole is. Is it on the very bottom of the pump (where mine is leaking)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlamingGoatBalls Posted April 24, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 You know....a friend of mine, a well seasoned traveler, claims to have eaten goat balls before. Called them rocky mountain oysters if im not mistaken... : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Hank Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Im a bit confused as to where the seep hole is. Is it on the very bottom of the pump (where mine is leaking)? "seep hole"???, I have seen that term used in these postings. To clear the confusion, there is no actual "weep" hole by design, everyone is referring to the hole in the casting the water pump pulley protrudes from. It is very difficult to see it as the pulley and pulley guard covers it, but people are eluding the coolant is probably "weeping" from this clearance hole. Again, when you remove the pump cartridge via the twist method, you will notice an o-ring groove machined around the inside surface of this hole, the act of twisting the cartidge causes the cartridge body to "seat" against this o-ring, forming the coolant seal. Your new cartidge will come with a new o-ring, place some vaseline on it, for conditioning, and to hold it in the groove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiden_kai Posted April 26, 2004 Report Share Posted April 26, 2004 ["seep hole"???, I have seen that term used in these postings. To clear the confusion, there is no actual "weep" hole by design, everyone is referring to the hole in the casting the water pump pulley protrudes from. I think you are simply adding to the confusion. There is indeed a "weep/vent" hole in the water pump. I can't remember a GM water pump that doesn't have some form of vent hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Hank Posted April 26, 2004 Report Share Posted April 26, 2004 ["seep hole"???, I have seen that term used in these postings. To clear the confusion, there is no actual "weep" hole by design, everyone is referring to the hole in the casting the water pump pulley protrudes from. I think you are simply adding to the confusion. There is indeed a "weep/vent" hole in the water pump. I can't remember a GM water pump that doesn't have some form of vent hole. Noted,..I did not know this aspect, but am smarter now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STYES Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 Flaminggoatballs is an AWESOME user name! Takes guts, and a bit of imagination to come up with that one! Anyway, you can remove the pump without any special tools. But since you talked to an auto shop teacher, I assume you are a tech student. So learn the job, and learn it the right way. Your speed will come after you change 20 of them! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 Anyway, you can remove the pump without any special tools. But since you talked to an auto shop teacher, I assume you are a tech student. So learn the job, and learn it the right way. Your speed will come after you change 20 of them! With the right tool, your speed will be there after the first one! Took me all of about an hour total, from when I started to drain the system to when I finished topping it back off. With the correct tool, it takes all of about 1 minute to actually remove the pump and install the new one. The rest of the time is getting some of the other stuff out of the way, which at this end of the engine, fortunately isn't much. Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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