First off, I have an 02 Z24. A couple months ago I started to notice a coolant leak coming from the back of my motor. The leak progressively got worse and finally a week or so ago I took the time to remove my header and figure out how to deal with the leak. From what I could tell, the leak was coming from where the hose meets the quick connect/disconnect thingy that attaches to the water pump. All of the coolant could be seen on the actual hose, so I figured the hose had just finally given out and needed replacing. I picked up a new hose from Napa and installed it, using the same quick connect thing. All seemed good for a day or so and then the car started leaking coolant pretty rapidly again. So now I'm not sure what to do. Is there a chance that the quick connect has gone bad (and if so, where can I purchase one? Do I have to go to the dealer because Autozone and Discount and Napa couldn't find it?) or is this the water pump slowly dying? From what I can tell, the pump isn't making any odd noises or anything, but I really don't know how to diagnose a dying water pump. Coolant is still circulating in the system, as I drive a lot and as long as I'm not actually out of coolant yet the cars temp stays right where it should be. Any thoughts, suggestions, so on would be greatly appreciated.
Sounds like the quick connect coupling has gone bad. Mine did the same thing....I got a new one from the local GM garage. It's actually in the package yet since my car blew up
I can get you the part number tomorrow if you want.
2010 Subaru Impreza WRX Limited
1999 Cavalier Z24 Supercharged
1999 Grand AM SE (Beater Car)
1997 GMC Sierra
2007 Honda CBR 600RR
2005 Honda TRX450R
Make sure your weep hole isnt where the leak is from. Can be very decieving somtimes between the hose and the weep hole.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Honestly, I have no idea where the weep hole is. All I know is you can see wetness on the actual hose, just above the quick connect thing. Like I said, I'm not real familiar with the water pump, so I've really no clue. But Luke, if you could get me that part number I'd greatly appreciate it. It would be something to try.
GM #: 22657120
2010 Subaru Impreza WRX Limited
1999 Cavalier Z24 Supercharged
1999 Grand AM SE (Beater Car)
1997 GMC Sierra
2007 Honda CBR 600RR
2005 Honda TRX450R
I almost guarantee you that it is your water pump that is bad. Mine did the same thing and it was leaking from the weep hole.
sounds like the water pump mine did this also some times it wouls leak and other times it would be ok. it was coming out of my weep hole located on the water pump housing and can not be seen very well with out removing. when mine would leak real hard i could see a stream hitting my fire wall. there were no noises coming from it so you cant use that for a sign. if you have the 2.4 like i do. i will pray for you because it sux and its just about an all day job the first time you do it. if you have any questions ask me and i can help.
Well, I went to AutoZone yesterday to get a new headlight bulb and as I was putting it in in the parking lot I saw smoke coming from behind the engine. Look back there and there is a stream of coolant shooting out from the quick connect. So is that where the weep hole is? Or is it possible it's just the quick connect?
If you can see it coming from the quick connect, that is definitely the problem. The water pump and its weep hole are quite a ways away from it I highly doubt it's the water pump. Believe me, go to your local GM dealer and order the part number I gave you. I think mine was like $14 or something like that.
2010 Subaru Impreza WRX Limited
1999 Cavalier Z24 Supercharged
1999 Grand AM SE (Beater Car)
1997 GMC Sierra
2007 Honda CBR 600RR
2005 Honda TRX450R
Heh, I hope you're right. These folks are scaring me, lol.
I am in the middle of getting my water pump replaced right now... I wish my leak was just the quick connect... Read all of the threads on here and decided it was best for the garage to do this job... Long story short the car was dropped off Wednesday night and its 10:40 Friday night and the car is still dead in their bay. Thats a bad thing. They told me a ground cable came loose when they were hooking things back up and basically the computer reset itself now it won't start, it was running and then died... What do you all think? I am not asking to give the garage help, but for my own knowledge, cause I think I may be getting the run around here... They replaced the timing chain, tensioners, water pump (obviously) belt, oil, coolant and I am getting charged a grand to do it all. It started out at $500.00 but that was before deciding to do all the timing #%$%. Is $1000.00 reasonable? Listen to me I am asking if a thousand dollars is reasonable to get my water pump replaced... Just did one on an old ford truck last weekend, took an hour, cost $75.00 and only a 6 pack... Damn 2.4... Love the car, but this repair really hurts.
modern 4 cylinders are different than an old ford... drain coolant, remove belt, 6 bolts water pump off on the ford...
Fast forward to 4 cylider, the water pump is ran off timing belt that also keep s cams in sync with engine. The front cover is usually a pain to remove as you must pull the accessory belts, then get apuller that wil work to pull the balancer. Then you pull front cover, usually 10-15 bolts all a PITA to get to. Then you have all the belt tensioning stuff to deal with, and must ensure the eninge is a t Top dead center so the timing belt/chain goes back on correctly and cams stay in sync with engine. If chain, then it should be good to 100,000 miles I think if belt usually 60,000 miles. If any where near either of those numbers and a water pump goes, its usually a good idea to replace all fo the timing junk as well because if something in that system goes, you'll just have to pay to have it all torn back down again, might as well put new stuff in while your there. but if you're at say 50,000 and have a chain, I'd say put it back together and bitch at GM for having a @!#$ty water pump, or yourself for puttin dirt in the coolant
Anyway $1000 is pretty ball park I would say for all the stuff they're doing... Does your car need everything they're doing? It's up to you... It's your car, you can tell them to put the old stuff back on it, then you run the risk of those parts wearing out in the next how many ever miles...
1990 Pontiac Sunbird GT turbo
-TGP turbo
-DSM SMIC turned TMIC
-Injectors
timing componants should not make a $500 difference. they have to take all that stuff off to get the water pump out anyways. so the only difference you are talking is parts. i know a chain and tensioner and guides are not $500. sounds like you picked the wrong shop.
The 2.4 water pump is not a job for the faint at heart. It would be different if you had to pay a big bill and had total confidence in the shop. But it sounds like the shop is using your car as a training tool. It might soften the blow if they warranty the work (parts AND labor) for a length of time. And the price you're paying sounds in the realm of what a GM dealer would charge. Heck, I was charged $1400 to fix the ABS on my car and all it needed was a new pump (under $500, even from GM). That's what I get for not having the time, tools or knowledge to deal with it myself. (I do now.) One last note (to try and keep this light), the water pump replacement should be a once-in-the-time-of-ownership job. Commiserating with you in spirit.... - Mark
