Water Pump / Leak questions

[MrTruck805]

Hey All,

Today when leaving work I noticed a big puddle of coolant under the truck, a steady drip, and no coolant in the reservoir. It's and 89 fullsize GMC Jimmy with 205k miles.

Once I filled the reservoir back up I could see a bit of coolant coming out of the water pump's weep hole, but definitely not nearly enough to account for the sizable leak. It's hard for me to tell if the majority of the leak is coming from somewhere along the gasket, or the tubing connection.

I have both the GMC Service manual, and the Haynes repair manual. The GMC one isn't very helpful, but Haynes says "Squeeze the upper radiator hose. If the water pump is working properly, you should feel a pressure surge as the hose is released". I definitely don't feel a pressure surge, but I can see coolant being forced back into the reservoir when I do this. It also says to replace the pump immediately if the weep hole leaks.

I know throwing parts at it isn't the preferred method when you don't know the exact problems, but I'm wondering if my symptoms warrant replacing the water pump, or if you guys have any other suggestions as to what to look for?

Also, is there a certain water pump yall prefer, as opposed to the cheap one at AutoZone?

Thanks!

 

[nvrenuf]

ABSOLUTELY. A leak from the water pump weep hole is a sign of impending death. Fix it before it leaves you on the side of the road!

 

[Deuling]

Autozone one works just fine in my blazer. The duralast one or whatever. Under $30.

 

[Fordum]

ABSOLUTELY. A leak from the water pump weep hole is a sign of impending death. Fix it before it leaves you on the side of the road!

Also, the leak will increase when the engine is hot and under pressure. So the amount it is leaking now is no indication of how much it leaks other times.

And it can even leak different amounts depending on the position of the shaft when the truck is off.

So, replace the pump immediately, and worry about another leak if you see antifreeze after that.

Of course, replace any hoses you pull off unless they are really new.