Water Pump

[diablo]

I took my Alero in today cause my coolant light was lighting on and off....and so I thought its was just low coolant. But when I got to my mechanic and he looked at it, the coolant lvl was just pretty much almost full. so what he said was that the water pump will leak as GM has a post about it happening in every alero which is no big deal or problem, not unless it leaks 1litre a week then ya I should be concerned :lol:. The main thing im worried about is that I run the car roughly snow/ice drifting. Is it gonna have a big impact on the water pump if I keep pushing my car. Will it last as long?? Cause the water pump to replace is $600 including labour, and I don't want to do that nytime soon.:eek:........................................ .................................................. ...............Oh and me and a few friends might be starting a new trend here (legaly) Snow/Ice drifting.....The big word "Might"....still a work in progress!:lol:

[AGT]

Fix it yourself....not that expensive. Get a haynes manual. Learning how your cars works is more valuable.

[HazMatt24]

^^what he said

[diablo]

But where the hell am I gonna work on it, In my parking lotat -40? I live in an apartment. And with what tools? lol

[diablo]

And as well, whereevre I go, they don't carry manuals for the alero or grand am. and I don't but things off the net.

[alerored04]

you have to have at least one friend with a garage you can use for an afternoon. Its definately worth it to learn.

[SweetNLow]

do you have the v6?

if you do then its not the water pump where your losing coolant. your lower intake manifold gasket is bad and leaking coolant into your oil. that needs repair asap.....

[diablo]

sorry but nope.....lol.....plus..my question was Is it gonna have a big impact on the water pump if I keep pushing my car. Will it last as long??

[diablo]

the thread says 2.4L

[jackal2000]

do you have the v6?

if you do then its not the water pump where your losing coolant. your lower intake manifold gasket is bad and leaking coolant into your oil. that needs repair asap.....


you noob gtfo

[super white alero1]

U guys do know that doing the water pump involves the timing chain right? I won't recommend doing it yourself unless you are familiar with setting timing. That $40.00 water pump can turn into a $1000.00 head easily or a $300.00 valve replacement. Not including labor.

[super white alero1]

P.S.
The info your are looking for is for Bulletin No.: 00-06-02-009 and Bulletin No.: 01-06-02-012. And no it will not affect the water pump

[SweetNLow]

you noob gtfo

stfu.......... i dont pay attention to the subforum shits posted in....... i just look at the new posts mofo.....

come on buckeyes gotta stick together

[nhartwell]

i just had the same problem. it was my water outlet located on the right side of the head. the gasket was blown. 30$ for a GM piece, or 15$ for a cheapie at autozone. All it is are 3 10mm bolts. Check ur gasket, those r only a dollar. However, mine was the whole end of the outlet where it connects to the head was cracked. Also, before doing it, make sure it is not the surface of the head. If it is, GM should cover it.

[nhartwell]

Also, check ur thermostat and gasket there. Those only cost 6-20 dollars for a thermostat and another dollar for the gasket. Ur thermostat might be stuck and creating too much pressure causing a leak. turn ur car on and pull on ur throttle from under the hood. See if u can see anything spraying. This should tell u where it is coming from.

Make sure u run ur car for about 10 - 15 minutes, and let the thermostat open up if it does. If it doesnt, then thats the problem. But again, at the point where ur thermostat opens, u should be able to notice the leakage somewhere.

[Oldsman]

normally when the water pump is bad you will see a puddle of coolant under the car and towards the back side of the motor. check your oil make sure no coolant in oil.

far as $600 to replace water pump is a fair price. it is NOT an easy fix. because you need new timing chain, tensioner, and then you have to have cams retimed and crap. it's a PITA job actually. especially if you have no manuals or knowledge of the motor.

[ptrudel]

why would you need a new chain? tensionner, yes, they break...the timing isnt bad if you're in with a gm shop that can lend you the j-tools...then its easy

[diablo]

Thanks guys for all the info, but since its just a tiny leak, it doesnt concern me right now and its not a big deal to go out and get it fixed when it could last for months. so again thank you

[Cliff8928]

why would you need a new chain? tensionner, yes, they break...the timing isnt bad if you're in with a gm shop that can lend you the j-tools...then its easy

I know that if I was digging that far into the engine that I'd want that stuff changed. It's not really all that expensive and gives you re-assurance that you won't have any troubles with those components and have to do almost the same job again.

I think the Ecotec water pump is setup the same way too...

[ptrudel]

i dunno..my chain at 200 000kms still looks really good, no heavy wear whatsoever...it could be changed i guess, but thats the least of my worries right now...those 2 holes in the block are a lil bit more serious :p

[super white alero1]

That my friend cliff would be correct. I would advise if doing the water pump then spend the additional $200.00 on the timing chain kit. which comes with the timing gear, chain guides and tensioner. You might not need all that but better than doing it all over again.

[Oldsman]

GM recommends if you remove the chain to replace it even if there is no wear. the whole fact that the chain stretches and being how the tensioner is basically preset if you remove old chain and put it back on the tension could not be the same.

let me ask you this, 2000. would pull a motor completely apart and if the rings and bearing looked ok would you reassemble back together using the old parts????????

[PFC2]

if it is just your light that is turning on and you have no leaks replace the coolant bottle, but if you do have a leak it is most likely the internal seal on the waterpump. if your mechanic said it was leaking did he show you or did you ask to see the leak he might be saying that to get some work. if it is the waterpump its not any easy job i did mine two months ago myself. you have to make sure timing doesnt jump that you seat the gaskets properly espiacally the timing chain cover gasket if you dont you wont have a coolant but an oil leak i ran into that problem also i would replace the tensioner, chain, and guides. i paid about $300 for everything waterpump, gasket kit from gm dealer, and new chain, tensioner, and guides