Coolant Leak

[CAinVA]

I just finished replacing my IM gaskets on 97 K1500 Sub. I know for a fact that they are tight (not leaking) but I still have coolant leaking out somewhere. When I crawl under to take a look, it's dripping off the harmonic balancer. Water pump looks dry, weep hole etc. What else could it be?

[catmandoo]

Posable water pump mounting gasket? It may be the weep hole but the fan is keeping the fluid againsed the block and then it runs down by the balancer. How did you know your gaskets needed replacing? Was it a hard job? any tips?? I have to do mine as well...

[sub5]

I assume it was leaking the same way before you replaced the IM gasket? Is it filled with Dexcool? And is the water pump the originalone? Also whats the miles on your truck?

John

[CAinVA]

I assume it was leaking the same way before you replaced the IM gasket? Is it filled with Dexcool? And is the water pump the originalone? Also whats the miles on your truck?

John

 

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Yes, leaking the same as before but at least I eliminated that possibility (IM gasket). Original WP. 112K on truck. Still filled with DexCool. Is there any kind of plug on front face of block?

[CAinVA]

Posable water pump mounting gasket? It may be the weep hole but the fan is keeping the fluid againsed the block and then it runs down by the balancer. How did you know your gaskets needed replacing? Was it a hard job? any tips?? I have to do mine as well...

 

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On this one (97) the weep hole is on top of WP (12:00) and it sure looks dry. I was wondering if might be the gaskets for mounting the wp blocked from my view.

 

Intake removal is not too bad but takes all day. The biggest thing is undoing a ton of elec connectors and vacuum fittings. The nice thing is the wiring harness is "trained" and pretty much flops back into place and each connector is a little different from all others so it's easy to hook back up. IM is heavy and must be carefully placed down on new gaskets and RTV bead front and back. Oh, be sure and mark both rotor position (remove cap 1st!!) and dist base position relative to manifold so you can get dist back in properly

[sub5]

I don't think so on the front, but if you have left your coolant overfill tank run out you might have a problem with the water pump. Usually the weep hole. Dexcool is a good product but don't neglect it. And it doesn't last 5 years as they say. I have a mistery leak on my Sub but I suspect the pump and it's not enough to drip on the ground. I can smell it from beneath the truck right below the front end of the engine.

[ManyCamaroz]

I had the same problem... Coolant smell, no visible leaks, water pump and surrounding area dry. took it in to be looked at as I aupposed a IM or head gasket failure. The dealer pressurized the system and said the radiator cap was leaking.

 

Might want to eyeball that!

[sub5]

Thanks for the tip on possible radiator cap not sealing. I think you might be right for my problem and others have told be it's a common faillure on my truck.

[citydriver]

Posable water pump mounting gasket? It may be the weep hole but the fan is keeping the fluid againsed the block and then it runs down by the balancer. How did you know your gaskets needed replacing? Was it a hard job? any tips?? I have to do mine as well...

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

On this one (97) the weep hole is on top of WP (12:00) and it sure looks dry. I was wondering if might be the gaskets for mounting the wp blocked from my view.

 

Intake removal is not too bad but takes all day. The biggest thing is undoing a ton of elec connectors and vacuum fittings. The nice thing is the wiring harness is "trained" and pretty much flops back into place and each connector is a little different from all others so it's easy to hook back up. IM is heavy and must be carefully placed down on new gaskets and RTV bead front and back. Oh, be sure and mark both rotor position (remove cap 1st!!) and dist base position relative to manifold so you can get dist back in properly

 

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There are 2 weep holes in the nose of the water pump, 1 at 12 o'clock and 1 at 6 o'clock...the 1 at the bottom may be hard to see due to the w/p fan pulley,you should be able to run your finger under the nose of the pump to see if it is wet...if not an inspection mirror would come in handy to see it...or you could always unbolt the fan and pulley to see it, but I prefer the mirror....