Water Pump Leak

[George7941]

This is on a 1997 Chevy 6.5l Diesel van with 280k mi. The pump is original. I drained the cooling system about three months ago when I replaced a leaking rad and filled with Dexcool/ Distilled Water 50/50. I did not add any GM sealant pellets at the time. I was wondering if I might be able to stop the leak by adding the pellets now.

 

[Kestas]

Let me understand this... you have 280K on an original water pump, it started leaking, and you want to fix it with a chemical sealant! This is a horrible idea!! The water pump seal is worn out. Replace the water pump.

 

[George7941]

I dropped three tablets in this morning. I am not expecting this to be a long term fix, I am just trying to buy some time since I don't have time now to change the water pump but I will have time in about a month. Replacing the water pump on a diesel G-van is time consuming, takes twice as long as it does on most vehicles since many items have to be taken off- vacuum pump, alternator and its mounting bracket, timing cover etc.

Only reason I think a stop-leak might work is because, sometimes, water pumps leak after a flush of the cooling system. Don't know why it happens but it does. So, if the pump seal leaks because old deposits were flushed out, perhaps new deposits from a stop-leak might plug a seal leak.

 

[m2200b]

Good luck . Bars leak or even the tabs are cheap.

 

[onion]

At 280k miles on a 10-year-old engine... it's a pretty safe bet that the bearing is on its way out.

 

[another Todd]

Since it has already been leaking, the hot water, even small amounts will flush the grease out of the bearings and they will be shot soon, leaving you on the back of a tow truck (murphys law). Replace the water pump.