Good or bad water pump? That tis the question...

y2kcrawler

y2kcrawler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2008
Location
Lake Wylie, SC
Ok folks, Anyone out there good at diagnosing a water pump? My truck has been leaking radiator fluid by the hose at the bottom of the water pump (not from the hose itself but to where it connects to the pump from what I can tell). Its not overheating (at least per the temp guage) but I think the pump is not cycling water. Whats the best way to tell? I put water in the overflow resevoir (since radiator cap wont come off) and it slowly bubbles into the radiator. Ran it up the road a couple miles with no issues and no leaks when I got back. The hose from the water pump to the radiator was warm but not hot to the touch but the hose from the radiator to the motor was extremely hot? Any ideas?

92 Blazer/tahoe 4.3L V6 Vortec.
 
Odds are the weep hole is leaking. As for your radiator hoses being different temps, that means the water pump is working. Remember, the radiator cools the water inside it. Hot water goes in, warm water comes out.
 
Thanks, that makes sense. I ran it today for about 15 mins, I know thats not long enough to get it hot but I just wanted to see if the leak was present.. it isnt.. Should I be able to squeeze the hose from the radiator to the motor and feel pressure cause there is none? I also took the radiator cap off and its full but wasnt gurgling like water was moving through? Sound like a pump failure?
 
You probably won't feel any pressure especially if the thermostat is open, The water will just move through the system and you won't feel any resistance.
 
Well ive driven it 20 mins to work and back for 2 days now with no issues... Never had a truck fix itself? .........
 
When it goes (Soon) it will start squealing and moaning at you through the weep hole. Go ahead and replace it.
 
nctom said:
When it goes (Soon) it will start squealing and moaning at you through the weep hole. Go ahead and replace it.
Click to expand...

Ironic you say that.. I have a squeel a moan from what sounds like its coming from the DS wheel.. It goes away when I apply the brakes.. Guess thats next on the list as well.. But yea I plan on replacing the pump as soon as I can get it to it.. Might as well. Ive driven it to work all week with no issues, doesnt pass over 200 degrees and hasnt leaked?
 
Having the same issues, already bought the water pump and new thermostat. This is going to be the first time I have done any kind of engine work. I have done brakes and oil changes and installed my lift though, I have done a bunch of searching and reading about how to do it, but how bad is this going to be for me to do myself? Sorry to hi-jack your thread but I need an honest opinion. Thanks
 
Don't wait too long - I did since it didn't appear to be "leaking" so much as "dripping" and discovered a crack between the intake and exhaust chambers on the head once it finally overheated...

It's a 3 hr shop time job, took me nearly 9 in the driveway with 2-3 trips to the parts store. But, hey, I'm one of the slower boys... :rolleyes:
 
I THINK I have everything I need, water pump, t-stat, gaskets and coolant. Anything else you can think of? What did you have to keep going to auto parts store for? Affraid I am going to screw this up
 
You got this... Just clean the mounting surface of the block down to bare metal with a scraper and put a skim of rtv on both sides of the gasket. Drain some water so it dosent dribble out on the new gaskets and make a mess while putting it together.
 
AAAAHHHHH!!!!! I know I can, how much time should I give myself to do it? I took the weekend off to hang out with the wife and kids and the weather is great and I just don't want the Jeep down all weekend.
 
If your luck is anything like mine, you'll find your hoses all need to be replaced - radiator, plus pump to heater, etc. You'll then find you didn't have the hose clamps you thought you had. You'll also manage to dump a bunch of coolant on the ground at some point. You'll discover the drain plug on the rad is stripped, buy a new one, strip it and find a bolt that fits. Thankfully, you've already thought of the thermostat... :)
 
Thats about right! Then people bring you their junk to work on because you just LOVE to work on cars!
 
Ah! You have discovered a "new tool" opportunity! Sounds like you need to add the hanging worklight, or possibly even the floor-standing model with overhead extension pieces to your tool arsenal... Not as good as buying that tool that you'll never need again, but you still get points!
 
Well I just realized I have a hanging shop light that I bought to hang in my attic!!!!! STUPID!!!!!! But I did add a pair of strap wrenches to the tool bench last night

Off to try and finish
 
Very odd that I see an email alert to a new post, but it ain't showin' up yet... hmmmm...

Some rad caps have a lift mechanism on the top to keep them from rotating - if so, lift it while you turn. Others are just a PITA and you have to push down again and turn. Others are child-proof, so you'll need a child... :)
 
Whichever part you are most sure you did right will be the one you screwed up on. :eek:



Welcome to the addiction that is working on your own stuff. Before you know it you will have more work clothes than good clothes and your toolbox will be worth more than your house.
 
Back
Top