Progress Thread Daily Driver.... 89 GT - Front suspension rebuild

[TIGGER]

Thanks Guys, I will take better pictures when I get the belt and fan clutch off to show where it is leaking from. Its hard to get my phone/camera in at that angle to take a good picture. I am also going to try and remember to pressure test it before I open the cooling system.

 

[manicmechanic007]

Rags, Brakleen and a good flashlight.
I clean them spotless on top of the front cover to diagnose
Only put about 5 psi on it and watch it real close (fascinating to watch 'em sweat coolant)
Good luck

 

[mikestang63]

$10 green dye kit and flourescent light will find the leak fast

 

[TIGGER]

Got home late from work tonight. After I ate I went out and swapped cars around and put the 89 in the garage. I took off the belt, fan clutch, ac bracket, and shroud. Then I put my pressure tester on. 5psi didn’t do anything. Bumped it up to 10 psi and it started leaking from here.

 

[TIGGER]

This is the same spot I saw pool up before. It leaking from between the pump and the rear plate. I drained the coolant and pulled the pump off and notice there is no gasket here.

 

[TIGGER]

My theory is that because there is no gasket in that section it allows the rear plate to defect when the pressure builds up. Looks like the felpro gasket has that piece. That is as far as I got tonight. I will clean the timing cover off in the morning and see what that looks like.

 

[manicmechanic007]

That is one of the 4 long bolts that go into the engine block and not just the front cover (right)?
You might be able to reseal the bolt if you are real lucky
Liquid teflon tape is what the factory used and I use
You gotta think though, there is not supposed to be much coolant coming thru the threads anyway
Your gasket may have failed when someone replaced the waterpump? (long ago)? maybe, and it is just starting to leak now
Looks like a nice front cover, and it is most likely okay
Those bolts rust away and loose torque too
Yours looks too clean for that, but you may want a new bolt when you go to try to reseal it

 

[manicmechanic007]

That section with the no gasket is one of the parts where coolant can migrate to when the cover rots out
But that is usually an internal leak, and never makes it to the outside for you to see, or have to deal with
I was having you test at 5psi to go easy on your heater core
People have a tendency to go nuts with the pressure tester, and before long you need head gaskets or a intake gasket

 

[TIGGER]

As usual thank you for the input yes it is one of the four long bolts. I used a ton of the permatex thread sealant on the long bolts. I replaced the water pump about a month and a half ago. It is probably got 800-1000 miles on it. I just did a bunch of cleaning today. Cleaned the bolt, water pump, timing cover and chased and tapped all the threads. Bolt show a little bit of wear but the threads are good. Timing cover looks ok. A little pitting in one area but I don’t think it is too bad? Nothing seems warped except for the rear cover to the pump maybe? I used a straightedge all around and didn’t see anything alarming on the timing cover or the pump itself. This about all I had time for today.

 

[TIGGER]

So here are a couple pics of the pump and the rear cover. The right stuff doesn’t seem to stick real well to the cover? The gasket came off real easy on both sides.

 

[AeroCoupe]

The two short bolts the hood the backing plate to the pump don’t look right for some reason. Do they have the really thin hex head? Just do not look like what’s on either of my cars.

 

[manicmechanic007]

Yes, those two on the back have a real thin head
Not sure what the right stuff is
I just use gasket adhesive and put it on the pump and the plate and none on the front cover side
All the bolts that go into coolant get the liquid teflon pipe thread sealer
You can use the cheap teflon at lowes or HD in the plumbing section
Those bolts look okay to reuse

 

[TIGGER]

I got it together today just have put the belt on and fill it. I will wait to fill it till tomorrow. It will give the sealant time to cure.

 

[TIGGER]

Think I finally got the water pump leak under control. So far so good. Had to get another new pump under warranty. Didn’t even think to look at the hose connections at first. Learned something new

 

[85GTStangGuy]

Had to get another new pump under warranty. Didn’t even think to look at the hose connections at first. Learned something new

What's up with the connections? Looks like there is a gap between the tube and the pump housing. Was it not sealed and/or seated correctly?

 

[TIGGER]

I think the coolant was leaking from the gap. Unfortunately you could not see it when the heater hose was installed. The leak gradually got worse as time went on. The third time I put the old new pump on it leaked right after I filled the cooling system. I didn’t even start or drive the car. Usually you had to drive it to get it to leak. Taking it off again is when I noticed the sealant missing around the tube. It had to be something odd because the pump and rear cover were sealed perfectly that time.

 

[AeroCoupe]

Jesus man that sooo sucks. At least we will all now inspect every water pump we get. Lots of work finding the leak but you know this will save somebody a lot of aggravation down the road. Well that’s if they use the search function.

 

[TIGGER]

I hope this does help someone in the future. Honestly It never dawned on me that those tubes could leak when I was trying to diagnose it. Feel kinda silly now but I learned something.

I drove it to work today. No coolant leak and no annoying brake clicking. More flipping snow on the forecast for tonight though. I don’t think it will stick but I said that last time too So I’m not sure if I’m driving it again tomorrow.

 

[TIGGER]

Not sure I’m out of the woods yet with the coolant leak. Last two days driving the car to work and back I had a strong coolant smell when I got home. Strong enough that I could smell it inside when driving and then outside right when I got out of the car. I took a good look both nights and found no leaks. Nothing is wet. Water pump is dry as a bone so far.

 

[AeroCoupe]

Just residual antifreeze that is getting warmed up by the exhaust or motor? Could have blown that stuff all under the car when driving it.