Engine coolant underneath the LT1.

[badazz28]

Hi everyone,

My buddy's 1997 Z28 Camaro is currently in storage for the winter. It has exactly 100,000 km. When we started the car yesterday, there was coolant leaking on the floor because it's orange and the only colour fluid like would the coolant. It's not leaking a lot yet, about enough to see a small puddle. We think it's the water pump. What you guys think?? Thanks.

[89vert]

if its a water pump you are going to need a new opti,

maybe pop the hood and look for the leak ;)

[93formula]

well start it up for a few minutes, turn off the car, stick your hand under the waterpump, feel for coolant. if theres coolant there then its the waterpump, if not then just start it up and look around for where the leak is comming from, could be hose, rad or a few other places, but its the water pump you have to worry about, if you let it leak too long it will kill your opti.

if it is the water pump i suggest swapping to an electric WP.

[badazz28]

The coolant is dripping directly below the crank pulley. I can still see some coolant droplet hanging off the crank pulley, so I'm assuming it is the water pump. I thought the water pump on the 1997 LT1 is already an electric one because I don't see the serpentine belt connecting to the pump to drive it....please clarify. and another thing, I thought the opti-spark from 95-97 are vented..

[iroc22]

The LT1's have a camshaft driven water pump

95-97 opti's are vented, but the coolant will still kill it

[93formula]

yes the water pump is cam driven, not electric, if it has been leaking for too long it will kill the opti, if it just started you may be able to save it.

and yes it is the waterpump.

let me know if you need someone to install a new waterpump.

[badazz28]

93formula, how much can u do it for? to replace the waterpump including the part. thanks

[93formula]

stock water pump or switch to electric? electric may be cheaper.

check your pm, i may have pm'ed you.

[badazz28]

If I want to switch to an electric water pump, what is the procedure and what do I need? Do I take apart the old water pump and install the electric one on the existing water pump? What causes the pump to fail and leak in the first place? If I'm using the stock failed pump with an electric motor, won't it keep leaking? Thanks

[93formula]

basically you use the electric pump on the stock waterpump casing, no it wont leak if the stock unit aready leaked. usually the bearing on the waterpump gives out which causes it to leak, one of the first bearings to fail is the one for the weep hole as an indicator that the waterpump is going south.

[badazz28]

93 Formula, if I bring my old water pump to you, how much will you charge to install the electric one with the part??

[93formula]

150.00, will you bring us the electric wp as well?

[badazz28]

I will bring the old water pump. U can supply the electric wp and labour. Total$$?

[93formula]

pm sent

[93formula]

check your pm ill have to pick up the waterpump by mon, ill need a deposit for it, 778 836 5494