Where could radiator fluid be leaking from after changing the water pump and gaskets on a 1997 Chevy S-10?

Answer 1

like they was saying check the hoses and make sure they are tight then check to make sure you didnt leave any old gasket on the water pump if all else fails and you cant find it put some uv dye in your raditor and run it for a little bit then use a black light to find it

AnswerWell I'm going to say that it will be leaking from the new water pump. Unless you took other things off then that dhould be it. Just take the water pump off check the gasket for cracks and stuff. If you want you could put some gasket compound on it. AnswerI am not sure which engine you have. The 4.3 liter V-6, and the 305/350 V-8 are similar..so this refers to them all. I agree with the first Posted reply...It may be in the water pump install, and a gasket that slid out from under, or was bolted up wrong. DO CHECK you lower hose clamp at the water pump neck, make sure it is on correctly. Look at it from the bottom. While you are under there, check for where you see water coming from. The new serpentine belt drives, run a different pump, and some do not use the lower bolt on passanger side of pump. It may have a bolt head ...no bolt , and you have a leak. Back of pumps have plate we never mess with but the rebuilders do...you can see it from underneath...is it leaking? Next but not least...did you replace the lower hose, drive the vehicle, warm it up good, look under , is it weeping or pouring....it could be the hose. Last , and could be the worst...the intake manifold gaskets on Chevy's of this model, go BAD on all I have seen around 95,000 to 120,000 miles. They will leak from the front or rear and I mean either side, or both. The weeping starts...and it is hard to tell that it IS NOT THE WATER PUMP, if it is leaking at the front. Take the time to power wash, the front of the engine above the water pump, no gease or oil, clean iron. Use Brake cleaner, or Carb cleaner..but clean it good. Let it dry good, be sure you are full of water in engine and radiator. Start and bring up to Full Temp...watch it as it heats up, and see if it weeps at the front corners...drooling down to the water pump necks, then on to engine pan, and ground. You will be really mad, pulling off the intake, when you see the intake gaskets are formed with extra thin , coved areas, that were....Designed to Fail. I am not being untruthful, or malicious. When you see the gaskets, and look at any other you buy...you will see what I mean. Often its the back that leaks....sight unseen...but you can't figure it out ...it's that hard to find. Once it weeps ,it goes faster and faster...and on the long trip to grannys one nite with the kids...it lets go just like a pump seal. Please post back what you find. AnswerI just changed out my water pump tonight on my 96 S-10 4.3. After I changed it I noticed a leak that was moderate (a drip every 3 seconds or so from the lower radiator hose). I looked up from underneath and noticed a drip from the back plate of the pump (where the remans. open and rebuild it). But instead of pulling it back out and taking it back I decided to investigate further. I found that the leak was actually from one of the top hoses. More specifically the fitting for the hose that is directly underneath the idler pulley. It was the clamp. I was mad at myself because I didn't change it like I usually do when replacing cooling system parts. Change them out with the screw type clamps. The stock ones are good for 1 time use in 1 place of the hose. They are junk. Don't even bother with replacing hoses. Hoses last forever unless touching something that vibrates. Anyways I took the fan and belt back off and changed the clamps (on all of the hoses), tada, no leak. Hope this helps.