Block leak.Water Pump???

[speedyx14]

I have a coolant leak on my 94 3.4. The issue is I can't tell exactly where it's coming from.it's coming from the front engine block area. I was thinking water pump but the little weep hole and surrounding areas don't seem to be leaking.

The leak doesn't seem to start until the car reaches operating temperature and a squeaking sound begins(probably the coolant getting on the drive belt). The coolant gathers on the front crossmember.

Do you guys have any suggestions? I haven't really been able to tackle the issue because I don't have a garage and we keep getting snow storms:mad:.

[Chris Stone]

Re: Block leak.Water Pump???

quick fix would be to buy the water pump ($27.99 at AutoZone w/ 2 year warranty) and the gaskets ($4.99) and gaskets sealant(couple dollars-cheap) and take it off and use a gasket scraper to clean off the gasket surface really good and just replace it. Its cheap...

First make sure there are no cracks in your water lines and there is no water leaking front the water connections at thefront top of the engine, there is also one on the front under the throttle body on the 3.8 but not sure on the 3.4L...

Maybe someone will chime in but I think the water pump is the same on the 3.4L as the 3.8L...I dont know so I cant say for sure...

[hockeyman]

Re: Block leak.Water Pump???

You should really isolate the leak before you buy a new water pump. Chances are, it's bad...but why take the risk? If the leak looks as though it's coming from the Harmonic Balancer Pulley area (under the throttle body) , then replace the water pump.

My '96 3.8l water pump was surprisingly easy to replace. Don't know about the 3.4's, but I'm guessing they should be just as easy.

[oconnell84]

Re: Block leak.Water Pump???

i have a 3.8 and had the same problem. we had to pull all the stuff of the front of the engine including the timing chain cover and we had to replace this plastic pipe thing. i guess they break a lot

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Block leak.Water Pump???

there's 3 different torque specs for the water pump bolts on the 3.4 and you have to get the powersteering pump out of the way too... not so easy.

[speedyx14]

Re: Block leak.Water Pump???

Still haven't found where it was leaking from. I don't believe it's the water pump, but somewhere else on the block. I threw some of this in the cooling system: http://www.crcindustries.com/auto/co...?PN=401210&S=N
and so far so good. The block leak has stopped(at least temporarily). Hopefully the stop leak will buy me some time cause I really can't do much about it at this time.

[zpwn06]

Re: Block leak.Water Pump???

if it starts leaking again you can buy some UV marking solution. I believe they sell this at autozone for like $5. you basically wait until night, pour a bottle into your radiator, break out a black light and wait until it starts leaking. the marker will glow under the blacklight.

DO NOT USE ANY MORE STOP LEAK
even if/especially if it starts leaking again. As soon as you have time to work on this, flush out your system entire system. stop leak has a tendency to gunk up and cause blockages.

[ssms5411]

Re: Block leak.Water Pump???

Have you noticed any grinding noises when just reving it or when driving it and letting off the gas hearing and grinding noise. My last 3 water pumps the internal bearings wore out and it started making the grinding noise, it is doing it now again after 7 years, so I will be getting a new one soon, don't have problems with over heating though, run a drilled 160 thermo and fans lowered. Yes stop leak is bad. Good luck with yours.

[speedyx14]

Re: Block leak.Water Pump???

Have you noticed any grinding noises when just reving it or when driving it and letting off the gas hearing and grinding noise.

Nope. But I'm 90% sure it aint the water pump.