antifreeze leaking from the water pump. antifreeze wont stay in car, car overheating. 96 chevy cavalier. 2.4
So what is your question? If you know the problem, either replace it yourself (which I would NOT recommend), or take it to a mechanic, to have it replaced. On this particular vehicle, it's a major undertaking, since the water pump is driven by the timing chain, if I recall correctly. To access it requires removing the engine mount, and front timing chain cover. Installation requires having the engine re-timed. Although I'm not familiar with GM products, as a rule of thumb, engines that use a timing chain, are usually an INTERFERENCE engine (which means piston/valve damage WILL result, if mistimed). The labour time guides lists 8 hours for this repair on this particular vehicle, with this particular engine. That should tell something, since water pumps are usually listed for about 2 to 3 hours labour on most vehicles. Hope this helps.
When the bearings go out it damages the seal, which allows coolant to leak from the weep hole. Change the pump ASAP. You don't want the fan going thru the radiator.
Is it leaking from the waterpump itself or the gasket.It may be overheating because its out of water rather than a faulty water pump if the gasket is bad.
Unfortunately, this usually requires a new pump. It's possible (but unlikely) that the gasket is leaking - more likely, the seal around the pulley shaft is the problem. Replacement is the only option. Usually, this is done at the same time as the timing belt - has this been done yet? If it was done before you got the car, its possible they tried to save a few bucks by skipping the water pump. This is usually a bad move - the pump almost always wears out at about the same time - but it is cheaper, if they were planning on getting rid of the car soon. And since one usually needs to be removed to access the other...you get the idea. Good luck!
Once the water pump starts leaking, you can never be sure just how fast it will deteriorate further. But sometimes, they go from a little leak to a big leak real fast. So I would get it to the shop ASAP. Bring a couple of jugs of water with you in the car if you can get along by stopping every 15 minutes and refilling the radiator after it cools down. But if it starts dumping coolant out like Niagara Falls under the car, you will have to have it towed to the shop.
