Another Water Pump Post

[-=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.

[Z51JEFF]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

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]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

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 - 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.

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), 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.

Like I said, the pulley didn't wobble (on the old pump). Just in case someone out there is doing the 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..