Another Water Pump Post

[-=Jeff=-]

Looks like I took mine out by installing a new tensioner..

Well, not completely, but it is leaking I suspect..

Anyway, when I go to replace it I don't need to remove the crank pulley do I?

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Looks like I took mine out by installing a new tensioner..

Well, not completely, but it is leaking I suspect..

Anyway, when I go to replace it I don't need to remove the crank pulley do I?

No, the crank pulley does not have to be removed. I remember when I did mine it was the first experience I had working on the LT5 and it's not as easy as other cars, just more stuff in the way to get to it.

[GOLDCYLON]

Looks like I took mine out by installing a new tensioner..

Well, not completely, but it is leaking I suspect..

Anyway, when I go to replace it I don't need to remove the crank pulley do I?


No not at all. remove the air horn and look down its really not that bad of a job. Maybe a time for new hoses while you are there Jeff!!! A lot of the mystery of the LT5 goes away the minute the Air horn is removed. I suggest making sure the bots on the pump are tight however before you tear it off the front of the block.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Maybe a time for new hoses while you are there Jeff

Yes, go for the SAMCOs if you don't already have them.:thumbsup:

[-=Jeff=-]

Got samcos on already.. I think it is the pump. There is a noise I have heard too, when running, so I am pretty sure the pump is bad or almost totally bad..

hard to see anything with the car together and pump pulley on

[GOLDCYLON]

Well then sounds like its time for a water pump replacement. Well at least you wont need to buy hoses. GC

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Got samcos on already.. I think it is the pump. There is a noise I have heard too, when running, so I am pretty sure the pump is bad or almost totally bad..

hard to see anything with the car together and pump pulley on

Yes, sounds just like mine....it was a very slow leak and I could not find it otherwise until I got to the pump as the drip was coming down and off another location making it seem like it was elsewhere. I hope you have a replacement already since some of the prices have gotten just ridiculous. It seems the best price ones now are from Corvette Central. At least the SAMCOs are easy to remove unlike the stock ones that seem to almost need to be cut off after awhile.

[GOLDCYLON]

At least the SAMCOs are easy to remove unlike the stock ones that seem to almost need to be cut off after awhile.

Yep those Dorman style clamps GM used are real fun in tight corners trying to get off. Especially down by the thermostat. The Samcos are so much easier, just wish they went a little easier on the Samco logo stamp thats everywhere. To be honest however, its nice to have a vendor that still supports the LT5. Those are becoming few and far between.

[-=Jeff=-]

good to hear on the Samco hoses coming off. As for a pump, I do not have one yet, but the Corvette Central one seems to be the best deal, aside from a rebuilt

[jrd1990zr1]

good to hear on the Samco hoses coming off. As for a pump, I do not have one yet, but the Corvette Central one seems to be the best deal, aside from a rebuilt

Jeff,

SGREG has an OEM one he has been trying to sell. Drop him a PM.

The noise you have heard can you tell when it is the waterpump? I have a noise which I think is my front alternator bearing starting to go.

Good luck with the repair, John

[-=Jeff=-]

no, hard to pin point the water pump, but using a homemade stethoscope, I could tell it was NOT the Alt.

[ralph92ZR1]

Just had planned to replace my waterpump. But after removing the air duct hose and extension, the water pump pulley, and tensioner, discovered the bottom bolts of the pump were loose. Decided to try replacing just the gasket. Cleaned the mating surfaces real good and the whole pump and surrounding area. Used a good gasket tack and put it all back together. BE SURE YOU MARK ALL THE BOLTS ON A TEMPLATE. There are 16 of them. Anyway, considered a rebuilt pump from Marc, but tried this first. Went for a half-hour ride yesterday and all was well with 200 deg. F and thermostat cycling-no drips. Then later in the day took another ride and crap, the leak was back. Cannot see anything below the pump or out of the weep holes and this is easy since cleaning them off. Hoping the clamp at the pump got loose the first time heating up but to hot to fix yesterday. The existing pump bearing was tight. If all else fails I might invest in a pressure tester and/or take the cross member off to see better where the leak is. Hope you have better luck!!! I am running out of ideas but want to be sure a rebuile pump is the solution.:hello:

[Z51JEFF]

I hope you have a replacement already since some of the prices have gotten just ridiculous. It seems the best price ones now are from Corvette Central.

From what I understand this pump from Corvette Central is an OEM G.M. pump.The same pump some a$$holes are asking $400+ for.These price gougers are really starting to get on my nerves.This pump is $200 at Corvette Central.

[Paul Workman]

no, hard to pin point the water pump, but using a homemade stethoscope, I could tell it was NOT the Alt.

Mine went bad last fall - sounded like the typical alt bearings when they go bad. Using the metal probe of the mechanic's stethoscope, I eliminated the alt., but I couldn't isolate the sound further - seemed to be coming from everywhere I probed!

With the belt removed, the water pump pulley didn't wobble :icon_scra - combined with not being able to pinpoint the source of the sound with the metal probe, and no coolant leaking - contributed to me needlessly changing the PS pump. :rolleyes:

Marc H showed me that by removing the probe and the diaphragm from the stethoscope and just probing with the rubber tube you can sometimes have better luck pinpointing the sound source. (Course by the time I got the car up to Marc's, it sounded like a friggin corn sheller!! (that would be a loud ruckus for you city boyz:rolleyes:), and no mistaking it then.)

Anywayz, I bought a rebuilt pump from Marc and per his suggestion, I drilled holes in a wood plank, using the new gasket as a template for the hole locations, in which to store the various bolts.:thumbsup:

Like I said, the pulley didn't wobble (on the old pump). Just in case someone out there is doing the :icon_scra as I was when evaluating the bearing on their pump, the only indication was when I spun it, it gave a (for lack of better description) "rolling" sound that dry ball bearings make. The new one was practically silent and absolutely smooth in comparision! .;)

P.

[-=Jeff=-]

Water pump has been ordered from Corvette Central.. now to get ready for removal of the old

[-=Jeff=-]

started dis-assembly.. looks somewhat straight forward, although the bolt for the AC Compressor will not come out, it hits the Alt.

some of the bolts are loose, but I did feel under the 'snout' which is also wet, so the pump is coming out. Also I think the noise I have been hearing is the Compressor clutch..