Parker Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Hey there all, I noticed a slight leak on my 1997 Eldorado from what appeared to be the water pump housing. Very slight, but leaking none the less. Well, the dealer confirmed it was the water pump so I'm having it replaced. Brought the dealer 2 gallons of distilled water and told him not to forget to place the coolant supplement in the lower radiator hose when replenishing the 50/50 mix of coolant. Well, the dealer just called to say he needed to order the "upgraded water pump housing" to fit over the "upgraded water pump" being installed in my Eldorado. He said the original water pump housing wouldn't fit over the nnew water pump. The new pump apparently sits a little higher up or something to that effect. Just wondering if anyone on the forum is aware of any such upgrade. I know parts are routinely superceded by new part numbers, just want to be sure this is the case here. I read somewhere that for the 1997 FWD Cadillacs, the water pump was upgraded to a pump which pumps at a higher volume. 105 GPH at 6000 RPM if I'm not mistaken. Not sure where the "upgraded water pump" the dealer is refering to fits in here. Just seeking out all your opinions. Thsnks to all and regards, Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIMDTS Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Yes their is an upgraded water pump and housing Not sure if the housings are interchangeable I know the upgraded water pumps have a better seal in the upgraded pump Not sure what all the upgrades to the pump are but from what i was told it's worth getting the upgraded pump.It was explained to me what all the benifits were but i don't recall all the benifits..of the new pump other than the new seal If i recall the new seal is reddish orange in color..vice black on the old type..Not positive about the seal color it could be green but reddish in color rings a bell I have the upgraded/updated water pump and housing on the 01 dville..The mechanic showed me the pumps side by side and explained the diff. darn I don't recall all the info.. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 First I've heard of this.......... FWIW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 105 GPH has always been the spec for the Northstar water pump. I've never heard of an upgraded pump design. I certainly wouldn't think they'd change the design to offer improved water flow after all this time; it's not like that was an issue that needed "fixing", not that I know of anyway. 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...
JIMDTS Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 JasonA From what I recall about the updated water pumps I don't think it was a flow issue fix it was the seals which are supposed to provide a better seal for the pump and housing. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parker Posted November 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 I didn't mean to imply that the upgrade was intended to correct a flow issue. I was just hoping to get some specifics as to what the upgrade actually addressed. The higher volume water pump I mentioned was something I read a while back, probably somewhere on this forum. Two different issues, I should have been clearer. It strikes me as odd that my water pump would start to fail at 79,000 miles. I changed the coolant as per specs four years ago, and again today with the water pump replacement. I've owned the car since new and have maintained beyond what the factory requires. No big deal really, but I would have thought the pump would have lasted longer. The car spends its life oudoors in the driveway (no garage) so maybe that's a contributing factor. Thanks again to all and have a Happy Thanksgiving!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 The water pump began to weep coolant on my '96 Seville at 67,000+ miles when the car was 5 years old. I changed it out and it's been fine ever since. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Grek Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 I didn't mean to imply that the upgrade was intended to correct a flow issue. I was just hoping to get some specifics as to what the upgrade actually addressed. The higher volume water pump I mentioned was something I read a while back, probably somewhere on this forum. Two different issues, I should have been clearer. It strikes me as odd that my water pump would start to fail at 79,000 miles. I changed the coolant as per specs four years ago, and again today with the water pump replacement. I've owned the car since new and have maintained beyond what the factory requires. No big deal really, but I would have thought the pump would have lasted longer. The car spends its life oudoors in the driveway (no garage) so maybe that's a contributing factor. Thanks again to all and have a Happy Thanksgiving!!! I just did mine last week, I also took good care in maintaining my coolant and it went at 73,000 mi., anyway I don't believe there was a change in the housing. The change they may be refering to is the new seal that fits on the cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 Sold my '97 Deville last month with 107K and original water pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Grek Posted November 26, 2005 Report Share Posted November 26, 2005 Well apparently there is an upgraded waterpump, waterpump housing, and two improved seals. It all comes in a kit from G.M. for model years 95-02. Wish I would have researched this before I put my waterpump from Napa in. Anyway you will find the kit on Ebay for $92.00, thats not a bad price for all that either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted November 26, 2005 Report Share Posted November 26, 2005 Does that mean if you have to change the pump, you MUST change the housing? What year was the change over made? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Grek Posted November 27, 2005 Report Share Posted November 27, 2005 Does that mean if you have to change the pump, you MUST change the housing? What year was the change over made? Yes, but it comes with the kit anyway, it is actually the thermostat housing (cover) that mounts to the actual housing where the waterpump sits. G.M. started putting them on 03 an later Northstars, and made a kit available for 95-02 model years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted November 27, 2005 Report Share Posted November 27, 2005 Well apparently there is an upgraded waterpump, waterpump housing, and two improved seals. It all comes in a kit from G.M. for model years 95-02. Wish I would have researched this before I put my waterpump from Napa in. Anyway you will find the kit on Ebay for $92.00, thats not a bad price for all that either. Does this GM kit have a part #? If you still have the url for the eBay location, please post it here. Thanks. I have not noticed any obvious physical differences between the pump housings on my '98 and '04 engines, but I plan to park them nose to nose tomorrow just to see if the housings appear to be 'different'. Maybe the difference is all internal. Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted November 27, 2005 Report Share Posted November 27, 2005 Does that mean if you have to change the pump, you MUST change the housing? What year was the change over made? Yes, but it comes with the kit anyway, it is actually the thermostat housing (cover) that mounts to the actual housing where the waterpump sits. G.M. started putting them on 03 an later Northstars, and made a kit available for 95-02 model years. Well that sucks. Changing the pump is easy but the housing looks like a royal PITA. Hope I never need to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Grek Posted November 27, 2005 Report Share Posted November 27, 2005 Does that mean if you have to change the pump, you MUST change the housing? What year was the change over made? Yes, but it comes with the kit anyway, it is actually the thermostat housing (cover) that mounts to the actual housing where the waterpump sits. G.M. started putting them on 03 an later Northstars, and made a kit available for 95-02 model years. Well that sucks. Changing the pump is easy but the housing looks like a royal PITA. Hope I never need to do it. You have to remove the thermostat housing or cover to remove the waterpump anyway. You must be thinking about the actual housing where the pump mounts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Grek Posted November 27, 2005 Report Share Posted November 27, 2005 Well apparently there is an upgraded waterpump, waterpump housing, and two improved seals. It all comes in a kit from G.M. for model years 95-02. Wish I would have researched this before I put my waterpump from Napa in. Anyway you will find the kit on Ebay for $92.00, thats not a bad price for all that either. Does this GM kit have a part #? If you still have the url for the eBay location, please post it here. Thanks. I have not noticed any obvious physical differences between the pump housings on my '98 and '04 engines, but I plan to park them nose to nose tomorrow just to see if the housings appear to be 'different'. Maybe the difference is all internal. Jim sorry I didn't get the url# from Ebay, I'm currently at work, but just search for waterpumps then narrow down to northstar waterpumps and there should be two, old style and new kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted November 27, 2005 Report Share Posted November 27, 2005 Yeah, I thought you where talking about the pump housing aka crossover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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