Water Pump Leaking...AGAIN!! w/pics

[TonyGXP]

I think that this is something the majority of us will deal with & I know I have seen this problem on another thread somewhere either on here or another SS site..Here's the deal. My SS has 1860mi on it and the pressed in neck at the top of the water pump is leaking again..Yes they changed it, at like 1500mi.. I checked when I got it back, it was dry for about 2 weeks (and the fan shroud wasn't in all the way at the top, so I had to unscrew and adjust)..Can't blame the track for this one because I haven't been back since the pump was replaced & speaking with another member (former at least) he has the same smell after driving for a while and then parking the truck..

Everyone if you get the chance to do this you should..After driving the truck for a while (especially after a decent highway cruise) open the hood and take a peek at the upper radiator hose & where it's connected to (shiny neck/cast housing)..That's the part that is leaking here are a few pics..the real close ones are a little out of focus, I couldn't set the camerea up right (I am not in a great mood). I called the dealer and they are checking into it for me, I am calling GM Customer service and reporting the problem to them, Hopefully they can look into the part mfg. and see where the error is, bad batch of pumps?? I doubt it..Poor design?? Highly probable..

When I say leak, I mean "Small" leak, doesn't even drip down, just that the neck is wet & I smell the Coolant...It seems to be a TBSS specific problem as my dealer says the Vettes don't seem to have the problem?? (we have a belt driven fan & their's is electric along with the GTO & SSR) just remember this.. if the truck sits for a few hours the coolant either evaporates or dries up and you won't see it, check after you drive it for a while, also if it is dry look for staining where the red fluid is on mine..

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f51/TonyGXP/waterpumpleak001.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f51/TonyGXP/waterpumpleak002.jpg
Obviously the red stuff is the coolant!!
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f51/TonyGXP/waterpumpleak005.jpg

[B 4 U]

I checked the wife's SS and her connection is clean. I checked mine and I have the red ring aroung the connection like yours in the picture. I'm going to alert my service contact and see if they have any other SS owners with this problem.

[tblazed]

Don't be surprized if they try the 3634621 GM "Seal Tabs" next.

From March 2004 Techlink article ...
"There was a time when seal tabs were installed in every new vehicle, at the factory, to account for the inevitable small leaks that occur in castings, joints, and so on. By the mid ‘90s, manufacturing and machining techniques had improved to the point where the seal tabs were no longer needed on a universal basis.

TIP: GM plants, as well as other manufacturers,still occasionally use seal tabs to address specific concerns."

Not sure but that could account for the brown gunk that appeared the coolant bottle when mine was new.

Anyway good luck with it must be frustrating to have them messing with it over and over.

[Derelict]

I get a red ring when I use too much hot sauce... All kidding aside, I hope you get this resolved and it isn't a common problem..:thumbsup:

[matt04TB]

Checked mine out tonight...I was very disappointed to find the red-ring. :worried:

And, I smelled the coolant smell.

Thoughts???

[TonyGXP]

Checked mine out tonight...I was very disappointed to find the red-ring. :worried:

And, I smelled the coolant smell.

Thoughts???

Yeah, tell your dealer, and alert them to the fact that this is happening all over the country, and if they just blow you off and replace it (like mine) it will leak again..mine lasted three weeks!

All will fail, I can almost guarentee it..just a matter of time, and or observation, I think the housing is expanding when it gets hot and the neck isn't, as much, therfore creating that slight gap, and there's the coolant!

[TonyGXP]

I had my dealer install another Water pump today, they have 4 in stock, makes you wonder if they know already?? Parts Mgr says they changed the part# already, maybe they improved them? Anyway did it while Iwaited, nice of them to do on a Friday, no appt. we'll se how long this one lasts:rolleyes: ..

[matt04TB]

i don't really want warranty work done already on my SS! :(

I'll have them check it out for me though.

[jdp123]

That really sucks.

I think the housing is expanding when it gets hot and the neck isn't, as much, therfore creating that slight gap, and there's the coolant!
I second the thermal expansion/tolerance difference between the two materials.

Never heard of GM approved Sealing Tablets (http://www.acdelcotechconnect.com/pdf/tsb/tsb_04D-J-054.pdf)(Seal Tabs (http://teamzr1.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=21;t=000066;p=0)) before. You learn something new every day.

[TonyGXP]

That really sucks.


I second the thermal expansion/tolerance difference between the two materials.

Never heard of GM approved Sealing Tablets (http://www.acdelcotechconnect.com/pdf/tsb/tsb_04D-J-054.pdf)(Seal Tabs (http://teamzr1.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=21;t=000066;p=0)) before. You learn something new every day.

I will give them this back before we start playing those games...anyone remember the "Cadillac 4100"..That made those Tabs famous:rotfl: ..Should've bought stock in those in 81'

[2manytoyz]

i dont know why you guys are having problems with this the water pump has been used on several gm rides my wifes 04 denali has the same water pump

[TonyGXP]

i dont know why you guys are having problems with this the water pump has been used on several gm rides my wifes 04 denali has the same water pump

I guess I am just difficult:duh: ???

[BLUBYU]

I checked both mine and a friend stopped by Hutchens today and we checked his for a leak!! No leaks. He was telling me he got 20 miles to the gallon on a trip too Richmond!! Not too bad. Best I've had was 17.8.

[steined]

No leaks here.

Everything is dry and clean.

[EssEss]

i dont know why you guys are having problems with this the water pump has been used on several gm rides my wifes 04 denali has the same water pump

I will have to check mine...

Kind of off topic but 2manytoyz, with all due respect, your posts crack me up. Every time it is one LONG, un-punctuated sentence. Dude, give a shout out to a comma or period once in a while. :rotfl:

[JeSSter]

Checked mine tonight (my drive to and from work is 54 miles one way) and it is clean and dry. I have about 4200 miles on my 2006 AWD TBSS. I have never smelled anti-freeze, or seen anything on the water-pump neck. I drive it hard every day.......could be isolated incident.....:o

[Fishhunter911]

Mine is shiny and dry... have 10k on her already.

[STEALTH SS]

No leaks on mine .

[hailtoby]

Hate to bring this back from the dead, but...

My truck is and has been doing the same thing for quite some time now. Its getting worse and more noticeable that I can smell the antifreeze with the hood down.

Does anyone know first hand if this is covered under warranty 5/100 powertrain?