Cross over pipe has cronic leak, Help

[Mike Spataro]

I have had this same problem happen three times on my 93 ATX. At 75K the water pump leaked and killed the cps. Changed all parts and was ok until I did my 100K timing belt at 130K. So I decided it was a good time to change the water pump while I was there. Installed a Cardone and changed the O rings and gaskets. After 2 minuites of running time the O ring on thr crossover pipe leaked. Repeated the job and installed new O rings. Worked OK for 8k and now leaking. The question is... I will be taking the intake off to service the valves and change out the valve cover gaskets. When I do this work can the cross over pipe be removed and O ring changed without removing the timing belt and water pump??
Thanks for any suggestions. Mike

 

[sdpatt]

I don't believe so. You will have to remove the water pump from the block to get the freedom of motion to get the crossover tube out of the water pump. From above, you would also have to remove the fuel rails and injectors from the heads to provide the needed clearance to the tube. When you replaced the water pump, did you happen to remove the rear case of the pump and inspect the interior of the outlet that the crossover tube fits into? There may be either damage to the aluminum pump casing or the steel crossover tube to cause this leakage problem.

Are you sure it's not the O-ring seal to the block that is leaking?

 

[Mike Spataro]

Thanks for your help Scott. I removed the rear part of the pump housing everytime I serviced the water pump gaskets and O rings were replaced. During the 75K service (cps failure) I installed a new water pump with rear housing and it leaked after assembly. So I removed the water pump from the rear housing and mounted it to the original rear housing. This work for some time until it finally leaked again and flooded the cps. This last go around I changed the timing belt, cps and installed a Cardone pump. I repaced the O rings and reassembled. I even rented a cooling system pressure tester from Autozone before reassembling the rest of the timing belt and it held the pressure. Now it leaks again after 6 months. I plan on doing the job over and I will take your advise to 1) check carefully that it is the cross over pipe connection. 2) inspect and/or replace the rear housing of the water pump.
Have you ever given thought to doubling up the O ring on the crossover pipe?
I will keep you posted, but it will be a few weeks before I get at it.
Thanks for your comments

 

[sdpatt]

I thought there were originally two O-rings on the crossover tube.

Scott

 

[Mike Spataro]

Thanks for your expertise. I thought I was going slightly crazy. It appears you have shed a light on my cronic problem. I need 2, "O" rings on the cross over tube. Presently there is only one. I will purchase a Felpro gasket kit # ES70425 and find out for sure. I enjoy spending some quality time with my SHO but not this way. Thanks again. Mike

 

[fredhurderjr]

There was one on each end of the crossover on the 89 I just took apart, FWIW.

Oh, and the pump housing to block o-ring? What a bummer to keep in place...

 

[Mike Spataro]

Thanks for your reply. When I remove the water pump housing and replace the O ring on the engine block I usually use some vasaline to secure it to the cavity.
When the pump housing is removed, does the cross over pipe remove from the opposite side? Is there a way to remove it for a close up inspection?
Thanks, Mike.

 

[Mike Spataro]

Cross-over pipe was found to be OK. The problem was my 4 month old Cardone water pump purchased from Rock Auto. I'm surprised as this Forum seems to have good luck with this water pump. IT was leaking through the lower weep hole. Well I ordered a NEW water pump from Rock Auto and should have it in a few days. I believe there is a warranty on the defective pump.
Has anyone had problems with the cardone pump?? had a local auto parts guy suggest to check out the belt tensioner as it may be exerting too much pressure on the pump bearing. MY SHO is a 93 ATX. Has anyone had any experience with a tensioner gone bad?? I would think the spring in the tensioner would get weaker and not stronger. Second question. I lost a dowel pin from my cam sprocket. Looked all over. I'm probably not the first guy to loose one. Any suggestions on where to buy one??
Thanks for the help. Mike