Uh-o - Water leak this time

[Jamieg285]

On getting out of the car last night, I noticed a water leak, and was a bit concerned, as it clearly wasn't coming from any normal overflow pipe.

I had a quick look, but couldn't see exactly where it was coming from. It's not the water neck (prime suspect due to recent change), but was dripping (quite rapidly) from the crank area at the front.  I released the pressure and the leak stopped.  

I tried to get it going again (topped up water and left her running), but temp wouldn't go high enough on idle for the pressure to build up enough, so I will have another look tonight after a drive to get the temps/pressure up.

My initial thoughts are the water pump. Is it possible that these leak, or is it more likely to be the seal to the block gone?

Whatever it is, it's more than likely been due to my changing the rad cap/water neck and thermostat and the pressure returning to what it should be has busted something.

[55starchief]

Have you got the thermostat in the right way? Could be a headgasket on its way out that would over pressure the system also

[Jamieg285]

I don't think it's over pressured, just more pressure than I had (i.e. virtually none.

What way is the right way for the thermostat?

Headgasket can be checked with a pressure checker??  Anyone have (or access to) one?

[55starchief]

Quoting: Jamieg285

What way is the right way for the thermostat?

need to look in the manual and it should show which way is up

[Jamieg285]

It said on it about flow direction, but I didn't know which way the water flows

I put it in whichever way looked best (which might be wrong).

[55starchief]

Quoting: Jamieg285

I put it in whichever way looked best (which might be wrong).

Yup i did the same on the race pinto motor in the westfield and screwed the water pump as well

[Jamieg285]

So which way does the water flow?

Is the top hose to or from the rad?

[55starchief]

Quoting: Jamieg285

So which way does the water flow?

Is the top hose to or from the rad?

need to look in the manual mate as all motors flow differently, the pontiac flows back in to the top of the rad from memory

[sixpack2639]

Jamie, The water pump on your SBC has a weep hole at the bottom of the shaft part of the housing. When it starts leaking you'll get coolant all over the crank and surrounding areas. Take a small mirror and look just under the water pump pulley and you should see the weep hole and you can tell if it has been leaking. Look at the bottom pic, you can see where the weep hole is. Hope that helps, Carl

[Jamieg285]

Excellent info there Carl, I had no idea about that.

Certainly gives me something to look for.

I'll let you know how it goes.  

[sixpack2639]

You're welcome mate!

[55starchief]

Thats whats happened to deans water pump on the caddy, i think if water is coming from there the seal on the bearings of the pump has gone. Could be caused by the thermostat being in wrong. As i said thats what happened with the westfield

[Jamieg285]

Is that is a built in pressure release thing, or a built in 'your pump is knackered' feature?

If so, I guess that may also point to pressure problems relating to the thermostat orientation?

[sixpack2639]

Quoting: 55starchief

Thats whats happened to deans water pump on the caddy, i think if water is coming from there the seal on the bearings of the pump has gone.

That would be correct. Time for a new pump!

Quoting: 55starchief

Could be caused by the thermostat being in wrong.

Possible but not probable. If you put the t-stat in wrong it actually stops flow to the pump.

[philoldsmobile]

i'd be extremely suprised at a head gasket, they really dont go on small blocks...

i'll second wager water pump, as they definatley do go on small blocks!!

[F Body]

It was "is" a small pin prick hole in the bottom hose
Happened to bump into Jamie earlier

[Jamieg285]

Indeed, small hole just below the top clamp on the bottom hose. When the pressure is high enough, it starts squiriting up at the block, hence my thinking it was the pump.

By the time I get some time to swap it, I should know which car is the better one, and assuming it's the white one, I'll swap the whole rad/hose assembly over from the yellow one (it's and ally rad)

[Incursus]

Well that good news, certainly cheaper to replace a hose than the pump

[Jamieg285]

True, but it would've been a great excuse to upgrage to a leccy one  

[EDGE]

i had a leek like that on the truck once.. when you reved the engine and the pressure increased, damn hot collant would spray directly at you