Water pump seal blown, first tow ever.

Well it was bound to happen.  First towing of the 948 because of a blown water pump seal.  Driving on the highway coming home from work and I started smelling a burning smell.  Thought it was the car up in front so switched lanes.  Still a smell... then the realization, "it's me!".  Pulled over and once the car reached idle for a few seconds, it died.  The oil was so hot and thin, the pressure went too low at idle and the computer shut it off.  Same thing happened to me years ago when the oil pressure sensor wire was loose.  

I use an oil cooler and always use synthetic oil so I guess it may have saved the car from any damage. Hope a head isn't cracked or something.  Once the car was home and it had cooled, I added some coolant.  It started right up as always and ran fine.  I'm about to start researching what I need to take out to change the water pump.  I'm guessing an OEM pump is probably the best option since I haven't had any cooling issues even in the hottest of weather (90s) stuck/crawling in commuter traffic.

Here's a picture, you can see it's been leaking for a little while (look between and past the area between the pulley and fan... wet dark spot on the pump).

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James,
Rock Auto has Bosch pumps for a good price. Grab a set of Fel-pro gaskets too.

Where have you been?

948 wrote:James,
Rock Auto has Bosch pumps for a good price. Grab a set of Fel-pro gaskets too.

Where have you been?

Hi Paul!  Glad to see you around and glad to hear you recommend the Bosch pump because it's the one I bought already.  It comes with gaskets though so I didn't buy any.  Think I should? 

948 wrote:Where have you been?

I took up the hobby of trying to figure out what's going on in the world.  Being inquisitive and having a very open mind, like we probably all do in this forum, I think I've reached the point where I need to stop trying to figure out what's going on.  As Monty Python would say, "Run away!  Run away!"
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So, back to building and fixing stuff.  I've have the four bolts out that hold the pump in and have the hoses off.  I'm at the point of trying to take the pump out but have a feeling I'll need to remove the radiator to do so.  I'm wondering how far the pump needs to move forward for the cam-coupling to come off.  I'll find out soon.

Picture before I took the hoses and bolts out...
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Hey James!

I remember always having to take the radiator out so I could get the WP out so I could get the opti out.  

PS... The ol' 3 amigos in one thread....like old times!

Michael, hello!

944-LT1 wrote:Hey James!

I remember always having to take the radiator out so I could get the WP out so I could get the opti out.

That seems like it'll be the case.  I may take my headers out while at it and weld some plates on them to cover the cracks and to reinforce them.  

944-LT1 wrote:PS... The ol' 3 amigos in one thread....like old times!

As rare as a 948  

You guys were an inspiration to me way back, many moons and web boards ago, an still are! I am also glad to see you back James. How is your back holding up on those CT roads with the stiff springs?  

Mike

RobotMachines wrote:I've have the four bolts out that hold the pump in......

There are 6 bolts holding the LT water-pump on....are you missing some? That might explain the slow leak.

RobotMachines wrote:It comes with gaskets though so I didn't buy any.  Think I should? 

If they are the one piece paper type I smear a thin layer of waterpump RTV on both sides before installation.
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87-944S wrote:You guys were an inspiration to me way back, many moons and web boards ago, an still are!  I am also glad to see you back James.  How is your back holding up on those CT roads with the stiff springs?  

Mike

Thanks! Wish we had all of the posts and pictures from Doug's 560sec site to share on here. Lot's of good stuff.

Back is fine so far but my brain cringes when I hit a certain ridge on the highway every day driving it home. The ridge makes the rear of the car bounce out just a little. ouch.

948 wrote:

RobotMachines wrote:I've have the four bolts out that hold the pump in......

There are 6 bolts holding the LT water-pump on....are you missing some? That might explain the slow leak.

lol Well, guess I have two more to go then.  I was just preemptively undoing things prior to this weekend.  Just looked at the picture of the pump and see the two extra bolts I missed, they're the shorter ones on each side.  Can't wait to see what may be in the way of getting those out, hopefully nothing.  Just checked and my new pump is waiting on my doorstep for when I get in.

I think I have two types of gasket sealants sitting around somewhere.  I'll compare them to the one from your link.

Woo hoo!  New pump.   

EDIT:  My pump that died just about a week ago, that this one will replace, was the original that was on the '94 LT1 when I bought it from a wrecking yard a long time ago, not bad.

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Wow, that's one complicated looking pump! I like the grill look on the front though.  

That grill look adds at LEAST 10hp. 

That complicated mess of ports where, eh hem, one needs to be just corked, adds at least another 5HP  

I read that grill adds 12HP, with the port plugged a 17HP advantage! Now, ship that back, and dig in your wallet for a Mezier electric pump! Or, just put an LS in there!  Glad to see it is easily fixed, and you will be back on the road soon. I want to see a second gear burnout video at 25MPH  !

If you plan on using this car as a dd, which i know you do, don't get an electric water pump. They don't put out anywhere near the required amount of real GPM.

Thanks Doug, I haven't heard that before, but my comment was more tongue in cheek than serious.  

87-944S wrote:Thanks Doug, I haven't heard that before, but my comment was more tongue in cheek than serious.  

 Who is Doug?  
I understood what you meant......its just that I have gone through the time and expense of trying an electric wp. Don't want anyone else to go through that.

Paul

Yar.

I'll stick with the OEM style pump since it worked perfectly for so long.  I'm not an engineer, but I'd have to say that with an overflow reservoir just a little bigger and about 2" higher, the RH radiator and Spal(sp) fan is perfect for the LT1 and I bet for the LS(n).

EDIT: ... for a daily driver.

Sorry Paul! I guess posting that late at night is not a good thing.  Which pump did you try? I always wondered if an electric would be a benefit. I really hate how ugly the LS water pump bell is, I haven't located anything to replace that fugly pulley.

I have the CSR pump, but they are all the same really....

DOUG was OUR fearless leader back '05 ish or so...

this is all his fault- 

suboptimalfit wrote:DOUG was OUR fearless leader back '05 ish or so...

this is all his fault- 

yup  I was looking to convert my 944 to an electric motor.  Then I found Doug's site and purchased an LT1.

For the fugly pulley, replacing it with an Edelbrock unit, just because it annoys me.  

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It does requires an adapter for the 4 bolt mounting screws. Waiting on the adapter to arrive.

Radiator is out.  One of the bolts on the pump is loose but not spinning any easier.  I'm getting nervous.   I let it be for the night and am going to try a few more twists tomorrow.

You can see a hose number, I left that there years ago for reference. NAPA Part#8443
I think that hose fits perfectly (RH radiator and 1994 LT1), no cutting needed.

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Got the water pump out.  Besides the radiator, had to take the power steering pulley off.  Something tells me that we are not supposed to see the ball bearings on the backside of the water pump, eh hem.  
It did last almost 19 years though. Glad my Opti is sealed and am using the Delteq.
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