Intermittent Coolant Leak...

[aaronsbiza]

95ATX 81,000K - Like some of you have, this thanksgiving holliday, I took a nice long trip to see family and a nice long trip back. The morning after this long trip I start my car and take off to the store. I came to a stop light and noticed some smoke coming from the front right side of the car, under the wheel. Of course, as any SHO owner's reaction would be, WTF IS IT NOW! Shortly followed by that ever so familiar smell of coolant. I pulled over at the nearest gas station, got out, and stuck my head under the car. To my avail coolant/water had been dripping onto the cat. Reliable as the SHO is the coolant/water was no longer leaking. The next morning I started her up and put her on ramps. I hopped under the car and checked both the lower radiator hose and the water pump for leaks. Did't find one, However, there was some water/coolant dewed up on the lower part of the engine (under the crank.) I left it be and continued using the car over the next few days with no reaccurences. This morning it reeled it's ugly stanking head. Allright, I give in, time to drive the beater to work. I am pretty sure I am looking at a new water pump, but I would appreceate any input. Is there any other area I should be checking for leaks? How difficult is a water pump replacement? Which arm do I chop off to buy one? Thanks wall

 

[qiksho]

Not too hard and not all that expensive, rebuild from napa...around 40? its been awhile. If I were you I would also replace, lower rad hose, also a few orings u should replace that go along with waterpump. I could show ya but can't explain. I would also replace crank seal, and timing belt. Then your lower 60k is done. beer

 

[projectSHO89]

Get your rebuilt water pump, timing belt, and seal from www.rockauto.com

There's a 5% discount code in one of the open forums that is still good for a week or two.

Steve

 

[SHOoff89]

Water pump or one of the related hoses.

 

[rangerj]

aaronsbiza,

See "Drip Drip" posted in this section.

Check the water pump with a mechanics mirror. Look behind the pump at the "weep hole" for signs of a fluid leak, eg. calcium or other deposits, a fluid trail that is either deposits, dark, or bright metal that is clean (cleaned by the hot fluid). Any fluid at all is also an indication of a pump seal failure.

Hope this helps, rangerj