Water pump or hose? Thoughts.

[White Bullet]

I have a coolant leak at the bottom of water pump/hose. I have removed the passenger side wheel and skirt; lifted the vehicle to gain access to see where the leak is originating. Started the car and no leak. The leaking begins once the thermostat opens. Because of the location and the remaining components in place I could not get my eyes on the source of the leak so I am thinking that the leak is from the hose and not the pump. What say you? Hose or pump. Thanks.

[GOLDCYLON]

Did you check to make sure the pump is tightened? Inspect the weap hole?

[White Bullet]

The bolts are tight. The weep hole was dry at startup. Everthing gets wet once the leak starts. I have felt around as best that I can on the hose but do not feeling anything strange. My thought at this point is to remove the hose for a better inspection and go from there.

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by White Bullet

The bolts are tight. The weep hole was dry at startup. Everthing gets wet once the leak starts. I have felt around as best that I can on the hose but do not feeling anything strange. My thought at this point is to remove the hose for a better inspection and go from there.

I was leaning toward water pump until I read this. You say "Everything gets wet" which makes me thing a pin hole leak in a hose.
Either way you need to get her good and hot the get in there with a mirror or whatever it takes to see the origin first hand.

I bought an inspection camera from Harbor Freight for just this kind of thing. It has a 1/2in flexible cable with a 1/2in camera integrated on the end. You can get down into crevices to see stuff. At 20% off of the sale price of $69 it was a good investment.

[lbszr]

If you pressureize the coolant system to 15 psi it might make it easier to find since it wouldn't have to be started. Autozone rents the tool for that, if you have one in your area.

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by lbszr

If you pressureize the coolant system to 15 psi it might make it easier to find since it wouldn't have to be started. Autozone rents the tool for that, if you have one in your area.

This may work but may not. In me experience a pin hole leak in a rubber hose needs hot coolant to soften the rubber.

[White Bullet]

scottfab - believe it or not but my wife suggested trying to get a mirror in place to see what was going on. So I will get one to investigate what the problem is. But due to other commitments it will be several weeks before I will be able to get to this. So the beast will sit. Thanks all for everyones help and support.

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by White Bullet

scottfab - believe it or not but my wife suggested trying to get a mirror in place to see what was going on. So I will get one to investigate what the problem is. But due to other commitments it will be several weeks before I will be able to get to this. So the beast will sit. Thanks all for everyones help and support.

Try to find a small one 2x2 or 3x3 then take a wire cloths hanger and straighten it. Put a bend at the end then affix the mirror with duct tape on the back of the mirror to the hooked part of the wire.
Now you can bend the wire/mirror to look at an angle.
I actually use the metal sides that are on windshield wipers taped in a similar manor. Works great.

[White Bullet]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. With some time to think about it and doing some research on tool loans (which is you buy the tool and return it for a refund ) I have decided to replace the water pump and all of the hoses. The car has 108,000 on the clock and by all appearances the parts look original so to me it only makes since to replace them.

Over the last several days I have removed the hoses and water pump and now wait on the replacements to arrive. Several of the hoses were seized onto the metal pipes they were clamped to. It has been real fun getting the hoses off. . The pump came off easily enough. Just need to clean the bolt threads and sealing surface for the water pump.

When I install the new pump should I use some type of sealant on the gasket? When I replaced a water pump on a 87 vette some years ago I used some don't know about this one.

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by White Bullet

Thanks for all of the suggestions. With some time to think about it and doing some research on tool loans (which is you buy the tool and return it for a refund ) I have decided to replace the water pump and all of the hoses. The car has 108,000 on the clock and by all appearances the parts look original so to me it only makes since to replace them.

Over the last several days I have removed the hoses and water pump and now wait on the replacements to arrive. Several of the hoses were seized onto the metal pipes they were clamped to. It has been real fun getting the hoses off. . The pump came off easily enough. Just need to clean the bolt threads and sealing surface for the water pump.

When I install the new pump should I use some type of sealant on the gasket? When I replaced a water pump on a 87 vette some years ago I used some don't know about this one.

As long as the mating surface is clear maybe a light bead of high temp htv. Helps to keep the gasket in place during the assembly as well. GC