Coolant Dissapearing ???

[bkboatnsleds]

I mentioned that he had e-fans because in his sig it says he has on '05, which should have them!! Makes the whole process a ton easier than it would be if he had a belt driven fan!

Ahh - Got it

 

[Tahoewhat]

Ok, read through this and let me respond... lol
and i guess to clarify some of it, i forgot to mention, I do have a 05 Tahoe w/ the 5.3. so i guess it is the efans.

Since you should have electric fans, you should have enough room to use a mirror and stick it down under the water pump shaft and see if the weeps underneath the water pump are soaked (which they probably are). It's actually a super easy replacement on these trucks, be sure to change out the thermostat while you are at it (it's in the water pump).

Ok, i'll see if i can find a mirror, I noticed today at work, after seeing the pics that BA posted, i looked and theres a lot of room right there on mine. And like i said, really the leak is in that exact area, just below it like on oil pan and some hoses under the truck. But follows the block. It has to be the water pump.

Im pretty savy on automotive things, is replacing it something i can do in my garage? What all will i need? ( i can do my own oil, rotors, brakes, completly switch out brake systems, gto, so im ok, if i put my mind and look at the situation, i can do it. Long as i have a cerveza on hand for the anger. ha ha)

For changing the thermostat, you think so w/ 70k??? i have no idea, all for changing to new things, if im there already. Heres a question, what kind? Ive only changed one on my trans am i had. Cant remember to what, it was cooler one though..

Those pics are not his - so not sure if he has E-fans -

When i did my 6.0 Swap I found a BRAND NEW GM pump on ebay for $60.00 I figured when I put that motor in may as well freshen it up with all new stuff - Oil pump, etc..

If its leaking on the bottom side of that water pump photo - than yes. thats it. the weep hole is not really a safety thing as much as it is an "indicator" that its bad.

Yes - most people say - Intake gaskets are bad.. but these motors have a dry intake - in fact here is a photo of what it looks like w/o the intake on.. as you can see - there is no coolant. THe coolant is transferred over the block through a small tube on the back of the block.

In fact as you can see the knock sensors sit right in the middle of the intake. You can for sure rule that out of the equation .

Hope this helps.

60 bucks, thats not bad, I really like gm stuff for replacing it, unless there is something better. I replaced my fuel pump w/ gm. As for the leak, its been happening for awhile, but long as i keep an eye on my coolant level, i should be alright, right? Now with you guys help, i'll try to replace it this weekend. But look above, can i do it?

From your pics, i see that, it cant be the intake gasket. I dont see how it would be. Why does everyone say that then? Is it on the older ones or something? Thanks man, that saved me a bunch of time and money.

Yes, I went out and took those photos with my phone... and that's not an e-fan. I wish. It's a crappy photo and a hellacious glare off my K&N intake, and you're seeing the crank driven fan in the shroud. It's just a weird angle.

You're welcome by the way for the pics. Glad to help out here when I can.

BH

Bad photo or not. It helped me out. I really appreciate you going outside and doing that so fast. Exactly why i love this forum, so many people willing to help and be nice about it...

I like your engine cover. Want to do something to mine. Spruce things up a little bit.

I mentioned that he had e-fans because in his sig it says he has on '05, which should have them!! Makes the whole process a ton easier than it would be if he had a belt driven fan!

yeah its a 05 w/ a 5.3 if that matters.


Ok, i posted it above, but im sure its the water pump. Im going to try to find a GM one this week or soon as i can and replace it. My question is, how hard is it to replace? Can i do it myself? (look above, had experience w/ car items) in my garage at that? And what will i need? Also, like rivirea said, replace thermostat, with what kind? Meaning a cooler one and is there a better brand than others? Only ever did that once on my Trans am.
(sorry for posting again, since it is above, but for mass to see)

Man, i appreciate you guys help. I owe you all something, somehow... Come to houston and i'll buy.. or something..

 

[bkboatnsleds]

Can you do it? From what you tell us about stuff you have done - I say yes. Its only 2 hoses and a few bolts - the hardest part is getting IN there - but E -fans does help with that issue. Just make sure you clean the gasket areas good before you put the new one on.

Yes in theory if you watch the coolant level it should be fine - but if the pump fails all together that's not gong to be the case - I'd just replace it sooner than later.

There are plenty of other makes that have waterpumps besides GM - I'd buy aftermarket before the dealer cost of a GM - but thats just me.

Oh and yes - I think the older generation motors did have wet intakes - clearly ours do not. If you look at that photo - there is a little tube on the front between the alternator and the hose area on the water pump - thats the only place the coolant travels.

 

[Rivieraracing]

Yeah, from what I've heard you talk about doing in the past with rigs I'd say it's a cake walk for you to replace your waterpump yourself!! Just get a regular thermostat and you should be ready to go!! It's nice in your situation to not have to remove a fan from the waterpump since you have electric fans, I thought that was the hardest part of the whole thing!! Feel free to pm me if you have any questions at all, or even facebook me and I can call you to walk you through it as well!! I owe you anyway brotha, don't forget that!!

 

[Tahoewhat]

Can you do it? From what you tell us about stuff you have done - I say yes. Its only 2 hoses and a few bolts - the hardest part is getting IN there - but E -fans does help with that issue. Just make sure you clean the gasket areas good before you put the new one on.

Ok, sounds easy enough. Was looking at it today. Looks to be plenty of room, but only once i get in there will i know for sure. Ive realized that before. may look like alot, but getting wrenches and others in there, nope... ha ha..

There are plenty of other makes that have waterpumps besides GM - I'd buy aftermarket before the dealer cost of a GM - but thats just me.

Yeah, i'll have to look into pricing for them. Actually got my complete fuel pump for i think around $300. A brand new GM one. float, level, pump and all. Dealer wanted $600.. (crazy)

Oh and yes - I think the older generation motors did have wet intakes - clearly ours do not. If you look at that photo - there is a little tube on the front between the alternator and the hose area on the water pump - thats the only place the coolant travels.

I bet that is why then...

Yeah, from what I've heard you talk about doing in the past with rigs I'd say it's a cake walk for you to replace your waterpump yourself!! Just get a regular thermostat and you should be ready to go!! It's nice in your situation to not have to remove a fan from the waterpump since you have electric fans, I thought that was the hardest part of the whole thing!! Feel free to pm me if you have any questions at all, or even facebook me and I can call you to walk you through it as well!! I owe you anyway brotha, don't forget that!!

Its looks really easy to do. thats what is scaring me. Usually to easy, ends up being all day. But ive done, oil, brakes, change complete braking system, tahoe lowered, bunch of other stuff, may take me longer but at least I know its done and not half done.. (had that happen before)
I looked at my bros 01 silverado, those belt fans look like a pain in the butt. Plus for me i guess, not having them. I see why everyone is looking for them now.

Regular thermosat huh. 10-4 on that. Will do if i run into any problems. Got to see what i can find first. Will let you know. Thanks guys.

 

[ludvball]

Looks like I am in the same boat as OP. Just found a leak under the Denali today. Tracked it back up to the water pump. I think mine just started since I haven't had to add coolant prior to today.

Mine doesn't have the efans (future mod). So, I guess I get to have fun pulling the fan. I am assuming it will be better to pull the shroud as well?! I have heard of people using a 180° thermostat. What temp thermostat is meant to go in here?

Thanks

 

[Tahoewhat]

Looks like I am in the same boat as OP. Just found a leak under the Denali today. Tracked it back up to the water pump. I think mine just started since I haven't had to add coolant prior to today.

Mine doesn't have the efans (future mod). So, I guess I get to have fun pulling the fan. I am assuming it will be better to pull the shroud as well?! I have heard of people using a 180° thermostat. What temp thermostat is meant to go in here?

Thanks

Havent changed mine yet. Havent noticed any leaks or coolant gone, little but not much. like it was when i posted this. But from what ive been told from a few mechanics, sometimes it will and sometimes it wont, but then it could just go out. So i kind of need to soon. but didnt realize i have to take off the whole front of the engine. lol...

for the tstat. im not sure...