First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
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Here is my sad story, off topic because it didn't happen with my Bird.
I developed a small coolant leak in my water pump 99 Ram truck, looked
like it was coming from the area of the fan pulley.
A friend told me that means a seal or bering is dying, and the pump
needs replacing.
Didn't have $400 to spare for a shop, so time to learn how to change a
water pump {I have changed them in my 68 before}.
A bit more challenging in my truck, but not too bad.
Radiator and shroud came off easy, about the only thing I had a problem
with was the dang fan.
It was threaded on the pulley, but the whole thing wanted to spin with
it, so it took some doing to get it off.
I also had nightmares about the serpentine belt, but that thing came off
and went on very easy.
So I replaced the pump, being very careful to RTV everything. Followed
the torque specs, put everything back together, filled the radiator back
up, and much
to my surprise, everything seemed to work right.
Checked for any leaks the next couple days, there were none. Everything
was fine until I tried to use my windshield squirter's, they didn't work.
I thought hmm thats odd, I know I put the little hose back in and the
container is half full.
Then I remembered when I was putting the radiator back in, I saw a wire
with a connector on the end hanging, and I wondered where
that wire went. I thought well, must be one of those wires that don't go
anywhere.
Well now I knew, it was the wire for the solvent container.
This wire was now under the container. No big deal, all I had to do was
disconnect the upper radiator hose, lift up the solvent container, get
the wire
and connect it, put everything back together, problem solved.
So I did that, and was overjoyed when my squirter's started squirting again.
So I was off to Murrays to get something else, after about 5 minutes I
heard a weird sound and smelled coolant, I looked in my side rear view
mirror
and sure enough, I was leaving a trail. I thought oh crap, must have
blown something or other.
So I pulled over and popped the hood, much to my horror - Yep, I forgot
to put the upper radiator hose back on, there is was, hanging in the air
while
coolant was no doubt blown over the whole engine compartment.
I luckily had a gallon of water for just such an emergency. I put that
in [put the hose back on this time] drove to Murrays and got what I went
there to get,
plus another jug of antifreeze [which like everything else is just crazy
expensive, $11 I paid for 50/50].
So I topped off the radiator again .... And now it looks like I
developed a small leak again, coming from the same area the fan pulley.
I really doubt if improper gasket procedure and bolt torque is to blame,
I was real careful about that, plus I drove for 2 days without any leaks.
I even put new hoses on, upper and lower ... With new clamps, all
clamped nice and tight.
But now, after my no hose adventure, it is leaking again.
So I am wondering, is it possible that I destroyed the water pump, and
will have to do all of this again ?
Offhand I would say no, the water pump will do the same thing it always
does whether there is liquid in the system or not - And I think other
engine components would get damaged from lack of coolant before a water
pump would ... And its not like I hit the highway and drove for half
an hour, I drove maybe 5 minutes at 30 mph.
At this point I am hoping my problem will magically go away come
morning, but I am doubting it, and am preparing myself for another water
pump
change. At least I know what I am doing this time. I just wonder if
Murrays will honor the warranty under these conditions.
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