Heat/water pump question

[gmiller442]

I have a 97 GL wagon that puts out good heat when I am driving, but when I stop, the heat slacks off. The system is full and has a new thermostat and was bled for air. Maybe a water pump? I dunno?

Thanks!

[Bigdogg2830]

classic sign of a bad water pump. a good way to tell is to idle the car with the heat on high and hold the inlet and out let of the heater core. the outlet hose should stay just as hot as the inlet.

[gmiller442]

There is certainly a difference in the temps of the heater core hoses at idle. When I bring the RPM's up the hoses seems to equal out in temp. Looks like I just found out what I'll be doing this coming weekend.

[Bigdogg2830]

better now then before the engine gets damaged... i would do the timing chain gasket at the same time.. once the system gets pressurized with a proper working pump you might find a leak somewhere...

[Bigdogg2830]

I forgot to add..... What is the temp gauge doing also? Does it show warm at idle then drop alittle when you rev? Does the car heat up quick or slow? While driving does the temp gauge drop lower then normal op temp?

[danhasenauer]

Most original G3 Vulcan water pumps look like this now:


But this is what they should look like:

[downhill]

Houston, we have a problem!!!!~LOL!! Nice pictures and comparison.
Good example for the coolant flush argument!!

[gmiller442]

The car seems to heat up fairly slow but when it does reach temp it stays steady and doesn't run hot or overheat. The car has 125k on it. I'm sure its overdue for a pump and coolant swap.

[thebbbrain]

I am trying to track down a leak somewhere around my water pump. I've checked the inlet hose, and it seems dry. I know I have a leak somewhere, because I believe it is getting on my accessory belt and causing it to slip and squeak during driving. Another clue is the hole in this picture.



I am not sure what that hole is, if it even has a bottom, or breaks thru. However, my hole has coolant in it. I used a Qtip and cleaned out the hole as best as I could, started the car up and let it warm up, hole stayed empty. However, when I shut the car off the whole again had coolant in it. Is it possible that this hole is the source of my leak? I really can't tell if something is draining down to this point or not. Perhaps a defect or corrosion in the casting at the bottom? I hate to throw a water pump and a few hours at the car if that's not the real problem. The car has no other heating/cooling issues, everything seems warm, (cold outside now) and gauges are in normal operating temperature. The car does have 210K on the clock so I realize that inside the pump is probably shot...but I wanna be sure before I take ol' Betsy apart.

[behlinla]

That's a weep hole I believe. It means the bearings are leaking, so it's a sign you need to replace the water pump.