My baby is on her way out, is stop leak THAT bad?

jrichker · Jan 9, 2006

Find an auto parts place that has a radiator tester - it's a hand operated air pump with a pressure gauge and radiator cap attached to it. You take off your radiator cap, put the pump one on and pump it up to 15 PSI. Then you watch for leaks. It is usually pretty good at making them squirt or dribble so that you can see them.

One of the other possiblities not mentioned was leaking lower head bolts. The lower head bolts go directly into the water jacket and will seep coolant if they aren't coated with ARP sealer or teflon pipe dope.

8950HO · Jan 9, 2006

Kerpal said:
Replacing the water pump/gasket isn't a big deal... it probably takes a couple hours at the most.

True,but sometimes it can end up being a big deal if you break off one or more wp studs or bolts .This has happened to me and many others with 5.0L`s.

If this happens,don`t be surprised.Use anti seize on the wp studs and bolts.

PonyGrl420 · Jan 9, 2006

I have a radiator tester, did that as soon as I saw the drips and saw it coming outa the water pump gasket. It wasnt untill the next day that I saw the drips in the back so i never even looked back there while it had pressure through it.

I know replacing the water pump isnt that bigga deal, but i just feel like with 226k its not worth it. If I have something else to drive why bother fixin a ton of lil problems when I could just put a new motor in.
Crappy thing is I have a new water pump and gasket (along with almost eveything else id need to rebuild the car and make it go fast) back in ny. Id be more inclined to do it if I had the parts laying around here.

I left this morning with the radiator and overflow tank full and came home with the overflow tank empty and the radiator full so thats not THAT bad lol

ChevyEater thanks, but i managed to cram most of my tools in my car and bring em down here. Its just the big stuff I dont have. lol I dont even have a floor jack.

larrendeuce · Jan 9, 2006

These days a water pump costs about as much as a tank of gas. If it was my car I'd choose to replace the pump instead of using a stop leak product.

Bad92GT · Jan 9, 2006

i got a minny one you can use lol or you can try and muster up enough girl strength to get the 2 ton.. suckers heavy.. anywho have you been to harbor freight tools yet? Its RIGHT there not to far from you or from me.. fairly good tools from like damn near nothing.. they sell engine hoists and engine stands fairly cheap also. Just somehting to consider.. its where i get my tools.. but if you want to talk about that motor or any other motors i know of call me or sned me a IM on aim.. look to the left its there lol

mackey · Jan 9, 2006

My brothers 5.0 is 235k+ and only think i had to replace was the water pump.

grey5.0beast · Jan 9, 2006

Definately stat wth the water pump, I am on my 3rd. If your looking for a DD check out my Buick. Runs great!!!!!

vristang · Jan 9, 2006

PonyGrl420 said:
I know replacing the water pump isnt that bigga deal, but i just feel like with 226k its not worth it. If I have something else to drive why bother fixin a ton of lil problems when I could just put a new motor in. .

It can be easier to fix one problem at a time. Wouldn't you be really pissed if you put in a new motor, just to find out that you still have a coolant leak somewhere? Well, that is the kind of luck I seem to have.

Just my humble opinion.
Wish you luck

jason

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