Tiny leak on the engine water pump. Suggestions?

S

scott nutter1

New member
Jan 5, 2015
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Hello,
While under the front end today changing out a axel shaft, I noticed a couple drops of anti freeze by the seep hole on the engine water pump. I have
not had any problems with the water pump previously. It has 12,000 miles on it, and no squeaks while running.
Is there anything I should be concerned about? Possible pending bearing failure? Or is this nothing to really worry about since the weep hole is there
for a reason?
I plan on replacing my alternator in the next few days, and that could be the opportune time to replace the water pump if needed.
Thanks,
Scott
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
 
Water coming out the weep hole indicates a bad seal. Might as well do the
pump now if under warranty.

Sully
Bellevue wa

On Wed, Sep 18, 2019 at 2:46 PM Scott Nutter via Gmclist <

> Hello,
> While under the front end today changing out a axel shaft, I noticed a
> couple drops of anti freeze by the seep hole on the engine water pump. I
> have
> not had any problems with the water pump previously. It has 12,000 miles
> on it, and no squeaks while running.
> Is there anything I should be concerned about? Possible pending bearing
> failure? Or is this nothing to really worry about since the weep hole is
> there
> for a reason?
> I plan on replacing my alternator in the next few days, and that could be
> the opportune time to replace the water pump if needed.
> Thanks,
> Scott
> --
> Scott Nutter
> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final
> drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
> installed MSD Atomic EFI
> Houston, Texas
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
> Water coming out the weep hole indicates a bad seal. Might as well do the
> pump now if under warranty.
>
> Sully
> Bellevue wa
>
> On Wed, Sep 18, 2019 at 2:46 PM Scott Nutter via Gmclist <

>
> > Hello,
> > While under the front end today changing out a axel shaft, I noticed a
> > couple drops of anti freeze by the seep hole on the engine water pump. I
> > have
> > not had any problems with the water pump previously. It has 12,000 miles
> > on it, and no squeaks while running.
> > Is there anything I should be concerned about? Possible pending bearing
> > failure? Or is this nothing to really worry about since the weep hole is
> > there
> > for a reason?
> > I plan on replacing my alternator in the next few days, and that could be
> > the opportune time to replace the water pump if needed.
> > Thanks,
> > Scott
> > --
> > Scott Nutter
> > 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final
> > drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
> > installed MSD Atomic EFI
> > Houston, Texas
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

Change it now or change it on the road. Count your blessings here. Be glad it happened in your driveway.
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
What Larry said. Times 2. Fix it when you find it. Or, when it fails on the
road.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Wed, Sep 18, 2019, 5:36 PM Larry via Gmclist
wrote:

> > Water coming out the weep hole indicates a bad seal. Might as well do the
> > pump now if under warranty.
> >
> > Sully
> > Bellevue wa
> >
> > On Wed, Sep 18, 2019 at 2:46 PM Scott Nutter via Gmclist <

> >
> > > Hello,
> > > While under the front end today changing out a axel shaft, I noticed a
> > > couple drops of anti freeze by the seep hole on the engine water
> pump. I
> > > have
> > > not had any problems with the water pump previously. It has 12,000
> miles
> > > on it, and no squeaks while running.
> > > Is there anything I should be concerned about? Possible pending
> bearing
> > > failure? Or is this nothing to really worry about since the weep hole
> is
> > > there
> > > for a reason?
> > > I plan on replacing my alternator in the next few days, and that
> could be
> > > the opportune time to replace the water pump if needed.
> > > Thanks,
> > > Scott
> > > --
> > > Scott Nutter
> > > 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21
> final
> > > drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex
> Ferrera
> > > installed MSD Atomic EFI
> > > Houston, Texas
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> Change it now or change it on the road. Count your blessings here. Be
> glad it happened in your driveway.
> --
> Larry
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Ok.
Good advice.. going to napa tomorrow to get one. Or any other favorite brands out there??The one I'm replacing is a Tuff-Stuff water pump. Supposedly
made in the USA. But only lasted 2 years and 12,000 easy miles...
Scott.
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
 
Get the Cardone Select one. Part # 55-21118H The H on the end of the number is very important. The same number without the H is NOT what you want.
Start with Jim K. at Applied GMC. If he is out of stock, then try the others like Rock Auto or Summit. Cardone was selling them direct. They are
all about the same price, so go with Jim K. if he has them.

Here is thread on it from about 1.5 years ago:

http://www.gmc.mybirdfeeder.net/GMCforum/index.php?t=tree&goto=341053&rid=12&srch=cardone

My second recommendation is to throw two cans of water pump lube in the antifreeze when you are done installing the new one. What usually happens on
low mileage water pump seal failures is the seal sticks to the shaft when they are parked for extended periods of time. Then on the next start up a
piece of seal gets damaged.

A few dollars for 2 cans of water pump lube prevents that. You can get it for $5.00 or $6.00 at your local auto parts store. All it is, is a medium
weight oil that mixes well with antifreeze and water. I do not care what brand you get and you do not need all of the other additive crap being sold.
Just get the cheap lube.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Water+pump+lubricant&ref=nb_sb_noss


--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
That's bad news on the Tuff Stuff water pump. I installed that same pump a
year and a half ago on Tom Pryors advice. He found it to be the best
option while developing his electric clutch fan drive back then.

The Cardone model is his current recomendation.

Guess I'd better get busy and find a replacement, JIC.

This is very concerning news. :-\
bdub

On Wed, Sep 18, 2019, 8:42 PM Scott Nutter via Gmclist <

> Ok.
> Good advice.. going to napa tomorrow to get one. Or any other favorite
> brands out there??The one I'm replacing is a Tuff-Stuff water pump.
> Supposedly
> made in the USA. But only lasted 2 years and 12,000 easy miles...
> Scott.
> --
> Scott Nutter
> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final
> drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
> installed MSD Atomic EFI
> Houston, Texas
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Waterpumps have been a problem. I installed a cardone Part # 55-21118H one last year, but it seems I bought one of the last remaining. last winter,
I think even Jim K could not get his hands on one. Most places would let you order, then back-order it and keep back ordering it. Some claimed
some car quest had the re-boxed one, but that was found not consistent over the 50 states.

Dolph was the last one I remember still had a pump on backorder, so I don't know if they ever fixed the ordering. I know a few people have been
ordering the milodens. but those are big money.

--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
You would think that slimy slippery ethylene glycol 50/50 would keep the seal lubricated on it's own! Water pump lubricant should really be labeled
as "Water pump shaft seal lubricant" as it's not a substitute for the factory bearing grease.

--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
John
Ethylene glycol alone is not a good lubricant but manufacturers of good antifreeze put in water pump lube, antifoam, rubber antiswell and corrosion inhibitors. If one changes the antifreeze every two years it really Isn’t necessary to add additional water pump lube.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick CO

>
> You would think that slimy slippery ethylene glycol 50/50 would keep the seal lubricated on it's own! Water pump lubricant should really be labeled
> as "Water pump shaft seal lubricant" as it's not a substitute for the factory bearing grease.
>
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Ken,
No one has the cardone select 55-21118H........ I even call the manufacturer and they said they were not making them any more. Their reasoning was a
lack of good cores to remanufacture them.....
My back up plan is a water pump from Napa. Their new pump is part # TFW 43100, their remanufactured part # is WP 58295 H. Both are within $5.00 of
each other. Standard rotation on the new pump, clockwise on the reman one.
Any recommendations on what pump to go with? I'm leaning towards the new one..
Thanks, Scott.
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
 
I've had good luck with the GMB premium, heavy duty pump I put on my engine when I did the rebuild two + years ago.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Just spent $660 for labor for a failed water pump last week after a $330 tow that took 3hrs to arrive last week. Highly suggest replacing the water
pump before it fails at an inopportune time. Ordered Jim K's aluminum high volume roller bearing pump. Was reminded that it is absolutely necessary
to have the spring in the coolant return line to keep it from collapsing esp with the high volume pump.
Bob Gogan
 
Carl,
Did you go with the aluminum GMB water pump?
Looks like have 3 different pumps to offer. OEM with 6 blades on the impeller, Hi performance with 7 blades, and the aluminum one with 8 blades on the
impeller.
According to the photos on amazon, the hi performance and aluminum pumps are from Japan. MUCH better than the Chinese ones..
Just adding to the confusion!!
Scott.
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
 
Is this a good time to talk about double pulley setup on the alternator and the reduced tension it requires? I've always been concerned about the
effect of pulling the belt so tight with a single pulley. With absolutely no evidence to support it I'm certain (maybe 49% certain) that very tight
belts exacerbate water pump failure.
--
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
 
That is an interesting excuse because the 55-21118-H is a new, not rebuilt, item supplied by Cardone Select, and not Cardone the rebuilder. In the
end it is all the same corporation but different companies.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
> Carl,
> Did you go with the aluminum GMB water pump?
> Looks like have 3 different pumps to offer. OEM with 6 blades on the impeller, Hi performance with 7 blades, and the aluminum one with 8 blades on
> the impeller. Part #130-1260.
> According to the photos on amazon, the hi performance and aluminum pumps are from Japan. MUCH better than the Chinese ones..
> Just adding to the confusion!!
> Scott.

Scott,

I really don't remember which pump I went with. It was NOT aluminum. I can probably look through my paperwork later and find the part number.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
There was talk about trying to identify the part number for the rolled bearing in the “H” cardone pump. Did anyone have success with that? Knowing the bearing number gets us one step closer.

Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'

>

>> Carl,
>> Did you go with the aluminum GMB water pump?
>> Looks like have 3 different pumps to offer. OEM with 6 blades on the impeller, Hi performance with 7 blades, and the aluminum one with 8 blades on
>> the impeller. Part #130-1260.
>> According to the photos on amazon, the hi performance and aluminum pumps are from Japan. MUCH better than the Chinese ones..
>> Just adding to the confusion!!
>> Scott.
>
>
> Scott,
>
> I really don't remember which pump I went with. It was NOT aluminum. I can probably look through my paperwork later and find the part number.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I bought mine off Cardone Select a while back. Called them to confirm the -H was in fact a roller front bearing. I asked about core charge and the
guy said they are new construction, not rebuilds. Looked new, too. Howsomever, I had overheat problems on startup with the new engine. Radiator
back from the shop, I'm ready to try again.

--johnny
--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
 
I spent about 4 hours on the phone with every department in the Cardone menu.. no answers to my questions what so ever, except that they were no
longer in production. Very secretive company. They couldn't even tell me who did their ordering. That was odd.
But finally got a hold of a tech that said the best they could do is to send them a core and they would rebuild it. Their rebuilders are in Harlingen
Texas, the rebuilders also do the remanufactured water pumps for Napa.
But Carl S mentioned that he was using a GMB water pump. So I did some research on GMB. They are a large conglomeration out of Japan. their
production facilities are in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China. Seems to be a very respected corporation that is known for their bearings. And they also
have the correct bearing configuration (rollers and ball bearings). And they are all new castings!!
So my guess is that the water pump nowadays is like the fan clutch. Seems like Hayden makes all the fan clutches, and rebranded by different brands.
So I'm guessing GMB makes all the NEW water pumps, and rebranded by others, including Napa..
What a PITA......
Scott.
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
 
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