Water Pump Replacement gone wrong?
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Water Pump Replacement gone wrong?
Hi guys! New here and hoping u can help me out of a weird issue!
Ok, I got a 96 Bonneville SE 3800 seriesII, nice ride so far except few quirks.
I just spent the day having a marvelous time replacing the water pump because I was told my coolant leak was caused by it. No biggie, only cost $44 new and I got a father-in-law who knows how to do things like this. We got it done but after taking off the power steering pump'* 2 bolts, it seems to be leaking antifreeze from behind/around the lower one. So now, the leak that was from around the front area of the water pump has moved to back behind the PS. Was wondering what happened and how to fix? I was thinking of trying RTV on the bolt threads since my FIL thinks they tread into the water jacket of the engine and we possibly broke their seal when removing. Unless there is something else we are missing?
Thanks ahead of time guys!
Ok, I got a 96 Bonneville SE 3800 seriesII, nice ride so far except few quirks.
I just spent the day having a marvelous time replacing the water pump because I was told my coolant leak was caused by it. No biggie, only cost $44 new and I got a father-in-law who knows how to do things like this. We got it done but after taking off the power steering pump'* 2 bolts, it seems to be leaking antifreeze from behind/around the lower one. So now, the leak that was from around the front area of the water pump has moved to back behind the PS. Was wondering what happened and how to fix? I was thinking of trying RTV on the bolt threads since my FIL thinks they tread into the water jacket of the engine and we possibly broke their seal when removing. Unless there is something else we are missing?
Thanks ahead of time guys!
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,391
Likes: 30
From: Enfield, CT
I may be off base on this one..so hang in for a moment for a couple of the vets to confirm or deny. If you have the setup where a coolant elbow comes ouf of the intake and through the alternator bracket, you may have a leaky o ring on that...as well there'* hoses hooked up to the alt bracket on the backside and those could leak around the ps area and cause what you are seeing.
I'm SC'd and not sure if you have the same setup on your SE. Good luck..hang in a couple moments..JR will get here soon.
I'm SC'd and not sure if you have the same setup on your SE. Good luck..hang in a couple moments..JR will get here soon.
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Hmmm... A bit baffled here...
Its possible that you have broken the seal on the bolts, and a little RTV may cure that problem as the long bolts do thread into the water jacket... as soon as you pull the bolt coolant will come out...
I'd say either a bolt needs a little black silicone or the like, replaced, or the seal may need to be replaced..
So far after all of the water pumps I have done on 3.0'*, 3.8'* and or 3800'* I have yet to see one leak...
But I am almost tempted to agree with your FIL.... If you didn't RTV the gasket to the timming cover and water pump I'd be tempted to pull the water pump to make sure the seal is in the right place... Along with adding some sealant to the bolts or replacing them...
When I install a water pump I use a very light amount of Permatex silicone black high temp to tack the gasket onto the pump... Most of the gaskets are actually install dry...
Let us know what you find and what the fix was..
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Its possible that you have broken the seal on the bolts, and a little RTV may cure that problem as the long bolts do thread into the water jacket... as soon as you pull the bolt coolant will come out...
I'd say either a bolt needs a little black silicone or the like, replaced, or the seal may need to be replaced..
So far after all of the water pumps I have done on 3.0'*, 3.8'* and or 3800'* I have yet to see one leak...
But I am almost tempted to agree with your FIL.... If you didn't RTV the gasket to the timming cover and water pump I'd be tempted to pull the water pump to make sure the seal is in the right place... Along with adding some sealant to the bolts or replacing them...
When I install a water pump I use a very light amount of Permatex silicone black high temp to tack the gasket onto the pump... Most of the gaskets are actually install dry...
Let us know what you find and what the fix was..
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Toronto, Canada
I just replaced my water pump less than a month ago.
Out of curiosity what did you use to seal the water pump ?
Did you use the cork gasket or RTV ?
I used both cause it was a pain in the butt and I didn't want to have to do it again.
If you used RTV make sure it is high temp cause there are different kinds, Red is high temp.
I also replaced the two hoses that the gus mentioned just to be safe.
Hope this helps,
Good luck,
Dutch
Out of curiosity what did you use to seal the water pump ?
Did you use the cork gasket or RTV ?
I used both cause it was a pain in the butt and I didn't want to have to do it again.
If you used RTV make sure it is high temp cause there are different kinds, Red is high temp.
I also replaced the two hoses that the gus mentioned just to be safe.
Hope this helps,
Good luck,
Dutch
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Okay guys,
Got it stopped but dunno what it was still. We RTVed the 2 PS bolts and let them sit overnite.. still leaked. Looked at hoses and connectors, no leaks from them but still dropped coolant when engine was running. FINALLY, we resorted to the ole stop leak that GM carries. (5 lil disks that we had to crush and add to a cold radiator) We picked it up because in all our hunting for this leak.. we discovered a LOT of cracked and rotted vacuum connectors. Its now stopped, but for how long I don't know, but at least I feel a tad better about driving it. Thanx for all the advice and maybe will have to post on why my fuel gauge likes to never read above 1/2 anymore.
Got it stopped but dunno what it was still. We RTVed the 2 PS bolts and let them sit overnite.. still leaked. Looked at hoses and connectors, no leaks from them but still dropped coolant when engine was running. FINALLY, we resorted to the ole stop leak that GM carries. (5 lil disks that we had to crush and add to a cold radiator) We picked it up because in all our hunting for this leak.. we discovered a LOT of cracked and rotted vacuum connectors. Its now stopped, but for how long I don't know, but at least I feel a tad better about driving it. Thanx for all the advice and maybe will have to post on why my fuel gauge likes to never read above 1/2 anymore.
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,391
Likes: 30
From: Enfield, CT
There was some technical stuff about older cars..I'm assuming you have a 96. Hmmm
97 manual hints toward a short or grounded wire....but it could be the cluster etc... Others that have run across this can give you better advice.
97 manual hints toward a short or grounded wire....but it could be the cluster etc... Others that have run across this can give you better advice.
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