Water Pump leak

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

JochenWoern

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2011
Posts
2,427
Reaction score
21
Location
Sacramento, CA
While getting an oil change at my buddy's shop, I have just been informed that there is a slight leak on the weaphole of the water pump.

What is your guys' experience in regards to HOW URGENTLY I need to have this taken care off?

Is this something that could go on for a few more months or does it in general go pretty quick from here on for the water pump to crap out?

So far I have not seen any water drops on the garage floor, so the leak IMO can not be very severe yet.

Truck has 134k miles on it and is running on the original water pump.

Thanks guys.
 

ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
2,045
Reaction score
65
Location
Gilbert AZ
whoa my water pump started leaking at 134k miles on my 02 thats crazy

mine started leaking around the seal at the top and it was very small so all the dust and dirt was soaking up what little coolant that was leaking
i let mine go for like 3-4 k miles maybe the shop near my house wanted almost 400 bucks for the pump and 2-300 just to put it in
that made me get off my ass i found a water pump on amazon for 60 bucks OEM brand new it took me like about 2 hours to replace its not that difficult
 
OP
OP
JochenWoern

JochenWoern

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2011
Posts
2,427
Reaction score
21
Location
Sacramento, CA
whoa my water pump started leaking at 134k miles on my 02 thats crazy

mine started leaking around the seal at the top and it was very small so all the dust and dirt was soaking up what little coolant that was leaking
i let mine go for like 3-4 k miles maybe the shop near my house wanted almost 400 bucks for the pump and 2-300 just to put it in
that made me get off my ass i found a water pump on amazon for 60 bucks OEM brand new it took me like about 2 hours to replace its not that difficult

Wow, those prices seem outrageous.

I would also think that an OEM water pump is not as important as the Fuel Pump.

I am going with a NAPA water pump. My buddy is the manager of a local FIRESTONE complete auto care shop and he quoted me 288.00 for the pump and 80.00 for the install.
 

YukonXL04

The Riverboat
Joined
Sep 3, 2013
Posts
2,489
Reaction score
178
Location
Arlington, TX
Mine is leaking as well. And has been for the past 6 months. Very small amount. Over those 6 months I have lost about an inch from my reservoir. Here in February I'm going to go ahead and change it. Was planning on a delco replacement
 

shofzr

TYF Newbie
Joined
Dec 2, 2013
Posts
21
Reaction score
3
Location
Dallas
The water pump on our trucks has got to be one of the easiest water pumps to change on any vehicle, I can't see any reason to pay someone to do it.. I changed it on my 06 Escalade it took me a little over 45 minutes to complete.


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
JochenWoern

JochenWoern

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2011
Posts
2,427
Reaction score
21
Location
Sacramento, CA
The water pump on our trucks has got to be one of the easiest water pumps to change on any vehicle, I can't see any reason to pay someone to do it.. I changed it on my 06 Escalade it took me a little over 45 minutes to complete.


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk

I would agree with you in regards to how easy it is. However, based on available time but mostly the prices I meantioned above, I decided to let someone else bust their knuckles while I will have fun with my family. :)

Furthermore I will have the thermostat changed as well, I need a new idler arm (which calls for an alignment after the job is done) as well as AC Belt. I will have my buddy take care of this all while the truck is there in order to keep her in top notch running condition.

---------- Post added at 12:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:33 PM ----------

Get a Delco and do it as soon as possible. I would wait on something like that

You meant "I would NOT wait on something like this", correct?

I have the work scheduled for next Saturday.

But, why is it important to get a Delco Pump? I understand the importance of an OEM Fuel Pump, as it is a pain to change it. But why the water pump? I read that the overall consensus here on the forum is that NAPA parts are acceptable. And my buddy will warrant the pump as FIRESTONE will install it.

Anyone know what the price difference is between a NAPA and a DELCO Pump?

Opinions???
 

Goodinblack

I Like Tacos
Joined
Oct 27, 2011
Posts
22,295
Reaction score
3,046
Location
Dirty South
LOL. Yes I WOULD NOT wait.

I say delco because I have had great luck with OEM stuff. I figure if it lasted 134K then.......

Also I have used Napa AZ etc....... something is always slightly different or they don't last. Just my experience. I changed a water pump on a 2001 Express 3500. Lasted a week. Another time a Astro......... lasted a month.

My time is worth something . If I am going to replace it its going to be a while before I do it again.
 
OP
OP
JochenWoern

JochenWoern

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2011
Posts
2,427
Reaction score
21
Location
Sacramento, CA
LOL. Yes I WOULD NOT wait.

I say delco because I have had great luck with OEM stuff. I figure if it lasted 134K then.......

Also I have used Napa AZ etc....... something is always slightly different or they don't last. Just my experience. I changed a water pump on a 2001 Express 3500. Lasted a week. Another time a Astro......... lasted a month.

My time is worth something . If I am going to replace it its going to be a while before I do it again.

Point well taken, thanks Lee.
 

Yunali

TYF Newbie
Joined
Feb 27, 2014
Posts
2
Reaction score
0
I got this problem, theres coolant leaking after I drove it for 15 miles, when I got back it smelled like coolant, last night I put water in the washer fluid and this morning It leaked all out, it showed low washer fluid on the message center I got 01 Denali, any tips on what to check any help would be appreicative....thanks guys....
 

JonnyTahoe

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2011
Posts
1,249
Reaction score
779
Location
Minneapolis
I hear the story about how everyone is changing these water pumps in one and two hours and all I can think is you guys are just throwing them back together as fast as you can with out cleaning anymore than you have too. I spent over an hour cleaning the grime off the front of the motor and prepping the mounting area. Then I replaced the A/C belt, all the heater hoses, the radiator hoses and cleaned the fan shrouds the air tube, MAF sensor and changed some of the spring clamps. Not to mention repeated trips to the auto store. I guess I'm just funny that way.

---------- Post added at 03:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 PM ----------

I too was under the impression that once these pumps start to leak a little you better replace them right away. Well let me just say mine started leaking over a year ago when I stored it for the winter in my heated garage. I had to put cardboard under it because it was leaking even when not being driven. Then I drove it all spring, summer and fall before storing it for another winter. During the summer months I added a total of about a gallon to the coolant recovery tank. It would appear that the bearing seal is what fails NOT the bearing. It never ran hot and never made any noise.

---------- Post added at 03:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:21 PM ----------

Wow, those prices seem outrageous.

I would also think that an OEM water pump is not as important as the Fuel Pump.

I am going with a NAPA water pump. My buddy is the manager of a local FIRESTONE complete auto care shop and he quoted me 288.00 for the pump and 80.00 for the install.

I just replaced my 2000 tahoe Water Pump with a "NEW" Water Pump from NAPA, PN; 45005. I too thought about spending more for the GM "Original" Pump until someone on this forum mentioned that most all the aftermarket ''NEW'' Pumps come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, that made sense to me so I went with the aftermarket Napa. I paid just over 115.00 for this Brand New Water Pump, you do the math.

---------- Post added at 03:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:43 PM ----------

whoa my water pump started leaking at 134k miles on my 02 thats crazy

mine started leaking around the seal at the top and it was very small so all the dust and dirt was soaking up what little coolant that was leaking
i let mine go for like 3-4 k miles maybe the shop near my house wanted almost 400 bucks for the pump and 2-300 just to put it in
that made me get off my ass i found a water pump on amazon for 60 bucks OEM brand new it took me like about 2 hours to replace its not that difficult

I'm thinking you got a remanufactured NOT a new one. Not a big deal as all the parts that wear out are replaced with new ones. 60.00 for a new one just does not seem possible, do you know where the pump was made.

---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:52 PM ----------

The water pump on our trucks has got to be one of the easiest water pumps to change on any vehicle, I can't see any reason to pay someone to do it.. I changed it on my 06 Escalade it took me a little over 45 minutes to complete.


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk

Maybe easy to change as in "Take Off '' the truck but cleaning the six bolts that are half rusted and cleaning and sanitizing the mounting area, carefully tightining the six bolts but not over-tightining them, hooking up all the hoses properly, wiping off years of grime and dirt because you take pride in your work and want the engine bay to look as nice as the rest of the truck, figuring out that the radiator to throttle body coolant hose is one size at the radiator and another size at the TB so you cant just replace it with bulk heater hose so you reluctently leave the original one on there even know it is over ten years old, running to the auto store multible times because now that you have replaced the pump and all the hoses you figure you might as well replace the belt, tensioner and idler because the shroud and belt are off and now is a good time. not really that easy.
 
Last edited:

a4edwin

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2011
Posts
949
Reaction score
239
Location
ny
Mine leaked on the on the elbow going into the pump. Lasted bout a year with the problem then couldn't take the antifreeze smell anymore.
 

shofzr

TYF Newbie
Joined
Dec 2, 2013
Posts
21
Reaction score
3
Location
Dallas
I hear the story about how everyone is changing these water pumps in one and two hours and all I can think is you guys are just throwing them back together as fast as you can with out cleaning anymore than you have too. I spent over an hour cleaning the grime off the front of the motor and prepping the mounting area. Then I replaced the A/C belt, all the heater hoses, the radiator hoses and cleaned the fan shrouds the air tube, MAF sensor and changed some of the spring clamps. Not to mention repeated trips to the auto store. I guess I'm just funny that way.



---------- Post added at 03:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 PM ----------



I too was under the impression that once these pumps start to leak a little you better replace them right away. Well let me just say mine started leaking over a year ago when I stored it for the winter in my heated garage. I had to put cardboard under it because it was leaking even when not being driven. Then I drove it all spring, summer and fall before storing it for another winter. During the summer months I added a total of about a gallon to the coolant recovery tank. It would appear that the bearing seal is what fails NOT the bearing. It never ran hot and never made any noise.



---------- Post added at 03:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:21 PM ----------







I just replaced my 2000 tahoe Water Pump with a "NEW" Water Pump from NAPA, PN; 45005. I too thought about spending more for the GM "Original" Pump until someone on this forum mentioned that most all the aftermarket ''NEW'' Pumps come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, that made sense to me so I went with the aftermarket Napa. I paid just over 115.00 for this Brand New Water Pump, you do the math.



---------- Post added at 03:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:43 PM ----------







I'm thinking you got a remanufactured NOT a new one. Not a big deal as all the parts that wear out are replaced with new ones. 60.00 for a new one just does not seem possible, do you know where the pump was made.



---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:52 PM ----------







Maybe easy to change as in "Take Off '' the truck but cleaning the six bolts that are half rusted and cleaning and sanitizing the mounting area, carefully tightining the six bolts but not over-tightining them, hooking up all the hoses properly, wiping off years of grime and dirt because you take pride in your work and want the engine bay to look as nice as the rest of the truck, figuring out that the radiator to throttle body coolant hose is one size at the radiator and another size at the TB so you cant just replace it with bulk heater hose so you reluctently leave the original one on there even know it is over ten years old, running to the auto store multible times because now that you have replaced the pump and all the hoses you figure you might as well replace the belt, tensioner and idler because the shroud and belt are off and now is a good time. not really that easy.




Does this look thrown back together??
apemedu5.jpg
nahese4y.jpg
mygazy6u.jpg
umusy8eg.jpg



Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
 

livingez_123

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Posts
1,798
Reaction score
114
Location
Sandy, OR
All you have to do is steam clean the front of your engine before you change the pump. Then it's only about an hour if you have E fans and maybe another 15-20 min if you have a clutch fan and shroud.
 

Aaron_L

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2013
Posts
157
Reaction score
63
Location
Arlington, TX
I recently did the pump on mine & replaced the belts & hoses on my Suburban. It took me about an hour. I always start with pressure washing whatever I'm working on because I hate working on nasty parts, lol. A new pump with a lifetime warranty was a little over $100.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
137,751
Posts
1,991,187
Members
102,740
Latest member
JeffK
Back
Top