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I need to replace a leaking water pump..; walk thru of repair
Topic Started: Aug 19 2012, 10:40 AM (1,171 Views)
kennyroyjohn
Fresh Fish
[ * ]
the water pump is slowly leaking coolant. Every time geo is driven it takes about 1/4 gallon coolant. It is also getting noisey in area of water pump. I have seen some vague you tube videos of the repair. I am mechanically inclined, and have the help of a shade tree mechanic. Repair shop estimates are all around or exceeding $600.00. I know the parts are around $150.00 or less. Repair manuals show about 4 hours time nee3ded for experienced mechanic. Is this something I can pull off?
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Memphis metro


Post 139 here at this thread http://geometroforum.com/topic/4464045/10/ might give you some information, its not the easiest water pump I have ever replaced but its not a hard job either.

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Old Man


kennyroyjohn
Aug 19 2012, 10:40 AM
the water pump is slowly leaking coolant. ........... I know the parts are around $150.00 or less...........
rockauto.com has water pumps for around $30
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Stiffchezze
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Sir Metrologist

Welcome! :banana

$600 is way off! :O
And in 4 hours a "experienced mechanic" could change the engine out in a Metro! :P

Water pump replacement is very easy. I will tell you however, that what normally leaks is the O-Ring behind the water pump, not the water pump itself. In other words, you could get out of this for less than a $1! :D

But you do mention a very other things that have my concerned. :hmm
Noise from the water pump area could be the water pump or the timing belt tensioner. It could even be coming from something else like the alternator or even the A/C compressor. I'm willing to bet that if you have never changed the timing belt, you need to go ahead and change it out.
If $150 is your budget, I would suggest to replace the timing belt, the timing belt tensioner, the water pump, and the o-ring behind the water pump. $150 would cover all of that and the supplies like WD-40 and some ultra-black RTV. Maybe even to grab a :beer afterwards!

All of this is VERY easy if you have ever turned a wrench before. If not, it is great to cut your teeth on. All of this is well documented on this site, do a search and it should come up. I'll see if I can dig you up some links. :type

Ask plenty of questions, We're here to help!
Also post some pics when you get a chance. We :wub: pics!

BTW
You mentioned a manual. If its a Haynes or a Chiltons, toss it. The Haynes is full of errors, and the Chiltons is hard to read. Do your self a favor and buy a Factory Service Manual (FSM) off eBay. Should be around $25-$50.
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kennyroyjohn
Fresh Fish
[ * ]
Thanks for the reply...what did you mean by it could be the o ring behind the pump and fixed for a $dollar? The noise I hear very well could be the alternator or ac, but it runs fine, and has had this slow leak for more than a month, and my 19 year old son just makes sure he has plenty of coolant to top off every time it is driven, which is a lot. The noise is not loud, but we did have some problems with possible overfill of ac refrigerant earlier in our record breaking heat wave here in St. Louis. Am most interested in , our you suggesting some sort of additive that will stop o ringleak?
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

That long steel tube that runs under the intake manifold connects into the back of the water pump and sealed with an O-ring.
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Stiffchezze
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Sir Metrologist

kennyroyjohn
Aug 20 2012, 12:56 PM
Thanks for the reply...what did you mean by it could be the o ring behind the pump and fixed for a $dollar? The noise I hear very well could be the alternator or ac, but it runs fine, and has had this slow leak for more than a month, and my 19 year old son just makes sure he has plenty of coolant to top off every time it is driven, which is a lot. The noise is not loud, but we did have some problems with possible overfill of ac refrigerant earlier in our record breaking heat wave here in St. Louis. Am most interested in , our you suggesting some sort of additive that will stop o ringleak?


NOOOOOOO!!!!! :oshit Do NOT add ANY additive designed to stop a leak to your system! :O You will be replacing your newly clogged radiator by the end of the week. ^o) Most of the additives are REAL good at stopping up your leak, and EVERYTHING else in your system too. :'(
If you already did this, go ahead and tell us so we can tell you how to get it out! :x

The tube we are referring to is attached to the bottom radiator hose. Follow it up until you get to the metal tube. There is one bolt attached to the back on the engine holding it on, after you drain the coolant and remove the hoses. It just pulls out, but sometimes it can be a little stubborn. If the o-ring is in good shape you can reuse it by smearing a little RTV sealant on it and reinstalling. If not, take it to you nearest hardware store and get them to match it up. No lie the hardware store, because it is not listed by itself and most times the autopart store guys don't have one close to the same size.
Should not be more than $1. :banana

If you want to go ahead and do the whole enchilada, this link should get you most of the way in. The only extra step is to unbolt the water pump, clean the mounting gasket area, and bolt the new one back on with fresh Ultra-Black RTV.
Link--->Timing Belt Replacement Guide

Keep asking questions! :thumb
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Stiffchezze
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Sir Metrologist

blue rhino
Aug 19 2012, 10:47 AM
Post 139 here at this thread http://geometroforum.com/topic/4464045/10/ might give you some information, its not the easiest water pump I have ever replaced but its not a hard job either.

:gp
Post #142 for what the tube and o-ring looks like from the back. :type
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kennyroyjohn
Fresh Fish
[ * ]
No I have not added any additives except maybe a month ago added a little stop-leak and have not noticed any radiator malfunctions. It still keeps taking bout10-15 percent of a quarter og a gallon of coolant every day after driving. It just may be possible that it is leaking from that o-ring. I recently had to have a friend replace the upper intake gasket on my 99 suburban cause it was leaking, and you could never see it leak cause it only did it when driving. Now it is fine, no more leaks. Seems on the Geo it is drip drip dripping only when the engine is running. I have looked down from top, and underneath car at water pump, and it does not seem to be leking...so maybe it could be coming from this o-ring I cannot see or know where it is. Is there some detailed post or video showing how I can try to perform this repair first before anything else? Appreciate any info
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Jittney
Anchorage 92 XFi

1997 coolant system
Take off the bolt (#3)
Replace the oring (#2)
Refasten the rail (#1) with the bolt.
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

Being a 97, you will have 2 bolts. The other is on the side case of the trans.
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Jittney
Anchorage 92 XFi

Maybe this diagram applies to you
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