Thread: Coolant Leak

I know it is coolant, it dries up in a few hours. It is coming from the rear, behind and from the alternator area... I was told it could either be the Water Pump or the Elbow off the upper intake... I just had the Upper fixed 6 months ago, and the leak is been a few weeks... How do you check if it is the Pump or the elbow, my head cant fit back there... It does not leak all the time, only random...

What are the cost and is it difficult/time cosuming to fix the pump?

if its off and on leak, and the elbows were just changed id thing water pump too.


pumps go for about 70 with a new gasket. you'll need some thread sealant for the 4 long bolts. t

his is a 1 hour job if you never did it before.

the p/s pump needs to be unbolted and just move it over so you can get to the long bolts on the pump, if your s/c you need a t 55 to remove the lower idle pulley to the right of the crank.

also, brake the 4 small bolts on the w/p pulley loose before you take the belt off. tighten them up the same way

I put new coolant elbows in my car and they started leaking after a couple weeks, stopped leaking for about a month, then started again. I went through 2 sets in 3 months. If you can stick your hand down between your coolant reservoir tank and alternator you can feel the elbow below it. Feel both ends and see if your finger's wet or has coolant residue on it. Do this for the front elbow also. Same for under the water pump under the pulley.

Sometimes when you replace the coolant elbows the holes are not cleaned properly and the orings don't seat properly, snag on a bur, or roll causing them to leak. I pulled mine out, used some 2000 grit sandpaper, soaked it with water and cleaned the 4 holes the best I could then I used a little 3-in-one oil on my finger and rubbed in the holes to make sure the orings didn't hang up when I put the new elbows back in. Hasn't leaked since. (watch it leak tomorrow now.. LOL)

Also the waterpump is cheap and easy to fix/replace. I mean if you feel like doing it, it's good to do regardless. Personally I'd rather change out a good critical part like that while it's ok instead of waiting on it to break. Just my $.02..

As for the waterpump:

1) Take off lower radiator hose (optional, coolant will drain when the two long bolts on the RT side of the pump are removed)
2) Take off coolant reservior and move it aside (more clearance)
3) Break loose the 4 pulley bolts on the water pump (8mm I believe)
4) Remove belt
5) Remove 4 pulley bolts and pully from water pump
6) Move PS pump. On my car I took out the upper bolt and loosened the lower bolt and my PS pump moved enough to get the WP bolt behind it. Some people completely remove the PS pump, but I hate lining that thing back up having to work through a pulley.. LOL My car had no other obstructions getting to the water pump bolts.
7) Remove the 4 large bolts (two on either side) and 5 small bolts (I think 5 around the circumference of the WP) from the water pump. (large bolts are 13mm small bolts are 10mm)
8) Pull off water pump. I found it easier to put a large screwdriver between the pump and the part of the pump the pulley bolts to and pulled toward the passenger fender with little force and it came off.
9) Clean the mating surface on the motor with a wire brush, razor blade, sand paper, ect to make sure it's clean and smooth.
10) Get new pump, take yours with you since there's usually a core charge if you get a reman one. (there wasn't with mine but I purchased a new one with a lifetime warranty, I think the reman required a core exchange)
11) RTV the mating surface of the new WP. Lay the gasket on the WP, the RTV will hold it down. RTV the gasket. let it sit for a few minutes.
12) Clean the threads of the bolts
13) Reinstall the pump workin backwards from the removal instructions. You have to use thread sealer on the large bolts, I personally use thread sealer on all bolts.

When you go to put the bolts in don't tighten one down all the way then move to the next one. I usually start at the top and criss cross snugging them more and more every circle I do.. usually about 3-4 cycles. You can torque them down with a torque wrench if you have one, I don't have the torque specs handy though.. It's really easy and hope my instructions helped a little.. If I missed anything, I am sure others will chime in.

It was a stipped bolt on the Water Pump... The pump was bad as well, and bled the lines and no leaks yet..... knock on wood... I had the Thermostat changed as well... I HATE DexCool....

Why do you hate coolant.. did air get in the system and turn to mud?