Antifreeze leak - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chuckthetruck · 06-30-2011, 08:37 PM

My 87 classic has developed a leak. Being new to this mechanic thing I thought the lower hose was the problem as it was running off it to the ground when the vehicle shutter off...However it is coming from behind where the hose is clamped on at the engine...any suggestions? Expensive fix as I probably won't be able to do it myself.
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donut · 06-30-2011, 08:46 PM

Do a little poking around. My first guess, the water pump. (leaking out the "weep" hole at the bottom) Could be something as simple as the hose is leaking where it attaches to the pump. Price wise, don't know as I've done my own since before your truck was new.

TheWhiteElephant · 06-30-2011, 09:52 PM

I agree, it sounds like the water pump is ready to give out. Get under the truck with a flash light and point it right under the water pump. There's a little hole underneath that leaks a little to warn you. The fix is very easy. If you're new to this, just buy a Haynes or Chiltons manual and go for it. Don't know how your market works, but I'd imagine anyone would charge you maybe 1 hour's worth of labor do replace it.

hugger6933 · 06-30-2011, 10:06 PM

It is fairly easy to replace the water pump that would be a great project for someone with very little mechanical experiance. You have to have a car guy friend that would be willing to lend a hand to help a buddy out. It is always good to make friends with someone with a lot of tools. Jim

chuckthetruck · 06-30-2011, 11:01 PM

While I have got this answer pretty easy... Let me ask this....same truck....the battery gauge is going all the way up when I am stepping on the gas and the lights are all getting very bright then dim down as I let off the gas and the gauge goes down to normal (half way).... Any suggestions on this problem?
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chuckthetruck · 06-30-2011, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWhiteElephant

I agree, it sounds like the water pump is ready to give out. Get under the truck with a flash light and point it right under the water pump. There's a little hole underneath that leaks a little to warn you. The fix is very easy. If you're new to this, just buy a Haynes or Chiltons manual and go for it. Don't know how your market works, but I'd imagine anyone would charge you maybe 1 hour's worth of labor do replace it.

Thanks and it is well pass a small leak....it drains the radiator out whenever I have ran it and then let it sit...when it is sitting ...Niagra falls starts
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donut · 07-01-2011, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckthetruck

While I have got this answer pretty easy... Let me ask this....same truck....the battery gauge is going all the way up when I am stepping on the gas and the lights are all getting very bright then dim down as I let off the gas and the gauge goes down to normal (half way).... Any suggestions on this problem?
Posted via Mobile Device

Unless the alternator belt is slipping, I'd be getting it checked out. Most auto parts stores can test it for you if you pull it off and bring it in.

**hatzie** · 07-01-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckthetruck

While I have got this answer pretty easy... Let me ask this....same truck....the battery gauge is going all the way up when I am stepping on the gas and the lights are all getting very bright then dim down as I let off the gas and the gauge goes down to normal (half way).... Any suggestions on this problem?
Posted via Mobile Device

If you're nailing the volt gauge... The voltage regulator has failed inside your alternator. A steady 14.5 volts is normal maybe dropping to 14 volts at idle. Running at more than 16 volts will shorten the life of your battery and other electrical goodies like the bulbs.

chuckthetruck · 07-02-2011, 11:04 AM

Ok I have decided to do it myself. Should be fun...now which Chilton do you recommend I buy? The Chevy v8 Overhaul book or the one for Full Size GMC Trucks?

Thanks for the help!

Hoods69BadBowTie · 07-02-2011, 11:22 PM

Yep sounds like the water pump that's pretty easy one to do. The second problem with the gauges sounds like a bad alternator. With it doing what its doing I would pull it off and go down and get it tested at the store so you don't end up frying any parts. There should be repair manual that has your year of truck in it should be a complete repair one that's what I have always gotten

chuckthetruck · 07-06-2011, 11:18 PM

Ok i dont know that the Chilton is specific enough for this job. Trying to find a video how to...what years are going to be similar to my 5.7 87 sierra that I can look for?

Bill

Thanks again!

lunchbox99 · 07-07-2011, 12:07 AM

best case scenario...water pump. Just an FYI if you take the alternator down to the parts house to have it tested, have the cash to buy a new one, it will save you some gas money, because the internal regulator is toast.

motornut · 07-07-2011, 07:24 AM

how bad is the water pump
doesn't it (ALT)run off the same as the Water pump
(looking at my 87 burb pics)
may wana do the pump then tighten belt and check again

one weep on top and another under it

06-30-2011, 08:37 PM	#1
chuckthetruck Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Moberly MO Posts: 59	Antifreeze leak My 87 classic has developed a leak. Being new to this mechanic thing I thought the lower hose was the problem as it was running off it to the ground when the vehicle shutter off...However it is coming from behind where the hose is clamped on at the engine...any suggestions? Expensive fix as I probably won't be able to do it myself. Posted via Mobile Device

06-30-2011, 08:46 PM	#2
donut Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,593	Re: Antifreeze leak Do a little poking around. My first guess, the water pump. (leaking out the "weep" hole at the bottom) Could be something as simple as the hose is leaking where it attaches to the pump. Price wise, don't know as I've done my own since before your truck was new. __________________ '86 C-30 dually, 454/tbh400 '73 K-20 350/350/205 (sold ) I'm kinda like duct tape- no real purpose, but handy to have around.

06-30-2011, 09:52 PM	#3
TheWhiteElephant God is good! Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 689	Re: Antifreeze leak I agree, it sounds like the water pump is ready to give out. Get under the truck with a flash light and point it right under the water pump. There's a little hole underneath that leaks a little to warn you. The fix is very easy. If you're new to this, just buy a Haynes or Chiltons manual and go for it. Don't know how your market works, but I'd imagine anyone would charge you maybe 1 hour's worth of labor do replace it. __________________ Mando *"It takes a smart man to know when he's stupid." -- Barney Rubble* My build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=430367

06-30-2011, 10:06 PM	#4
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Antifreeze leak It is fairly easy to replace the water pump that would be a great project for someone with very little mechanical experiance. You have to have a car guy friend that would be willing to lend a hand to help a buddy out. It is always good to make friends with someone with a lot of tools. Jim

06-30-2011, 11:01 PM	#5
chuckthetruck Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Moberly MO Posts: 59	Re: Antifreeze leak While I have got this answer pretty easy... Let me ask this....same truck....the battery gauge is going all the way up when I am stepping on the gas and the lights are all getting very bright then dim down as I let off the gas and the gauge goes down to normal (half way).... Any suggestions on this problem? Posted via Mobile Device

07-02-2011, 11:04 AM	#9
chuckthetruck Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Moberly MO Posts: 59	Re: Antifreeze leak Ok I have decided to do it myself. Should be fun...now which Chilton do you recommend I buy? The Chevy v8 Overhaul book or the one for Full Size GMC Trucks? Thanks for the help!

07-02-2011, 11:22 PM	#10
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: Antifreeze leak Yep sounds like the water pump that's pretty easy one to do. The second problem with the gauges sounds like a bad alternator. With it doing what its doing I would pull it off and go down and get it tested at the store so you don't end up frying any parts. There should be repair manual that has your year of truck in it should be a complete repair one that's what I have always gotten __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

07-06-2011, 11:18 PM	#11
chuckthetruck Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Moberly MO Posts: 59	Re: Antifreeze leak Ok i dont know that the Chilton is specific enough for this job. Trying to find a video how to...what years are going to be similar to my 5.7 87 sierra that I can look for? Bill Thanks again!

07-07-2011, 12:07 AM	#12
lunchbox99 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 33	Re: Antifreeze leak best case scenario...water pump. Just an FYI if you take the alternator down to the parts house to have it tested, have the cash to buy a new one, it will save you some gas money, because the internal regulator is toast. __________________ 79' GMC stepside...the money pit! 355 aluminum partoit heads 2.02,lunati 268 flat tappet,comp roller rockers 1.6,hi-tech torque link intake(Jim McFarland),electric water pump,650 holley double pumper,msd 6al,msd street fire dizzy,doug's long tube headers(ceramic),3" exhaust(flowmaster 40)

07-07-2011, 07:24 AM	#13
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Antifreeze leak how bad is the water pump doesn't it (ALT)run off the same as the Water pump (looking at my 87 burb pics) may wana do the pump then tighten belt and check again one weep on top and another under it Attached Images __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350 Last edited by motornut; 07-07-2011 at 07:36 AM.

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