I have a '92 Firebird with the 305 TBI. My car is losing coolant like crazy... it looks like it's pouring out of a hole in the bottom of the water pump. It doesn't start immediately, only after I've driven a few blocks. At first I thought road debris had broken a hole into the pump, and I bought a new one to replace it, but I noticed that the new pump HAS a hole in that location. I'm going to go ahead and swap them, but I'd like to know if this could be a more serious problem (cracked block, etc.)

TIA

 

I was once told (name withheld in case he's wrong ) that that's a weep hole on the bottom of the water pump, and an indication that it's on it's way out.

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89 iroc-z 305 tbi
k&n filtercharger, open element air filter. nuffin' else

 

That hole is the vent for the bearings. If water is coming out, that means that the seal is shot, water is in the bearings, and they are toast. That's the way water pumps usually fail, I'd guess probably 5 times as often as all other failure modes put together. In other words, put your new pump on.

Somehow I can't exactly see how a cracked block would make a water pump seal go bad. I could be wrong, but the leaky pump seal does not appear to point to that.

While you're at it, change your radiator cap (that's what makes it spew), and put a new thermostat of your choice of temperature in it, and change the hoses and belt. Take the opportunity to generally renew all the wear parts of your cooling system so you don't have to worry about it again for a while.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

The hole you are referring to is called a weephole, and if it is leaking it is a sign that your water pump is going bad. Put a new one on and you should be good to go!

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92 Camaro RS, LO3, 5-spd, T-tops

Performance:
K&N Open Air Filter, Edelbrock performer TBI intake, Fastchip Prom, Timing +4 degrees, Centerforce clutch, Xact 8mm wires, SLP 1 3/4" Headers (coated), Flowmaster Catback Exhaust, Z28 Grille w/aftmkt fog lamps, MacEwen white-face guages
Electronics:
Alpine 8030 Alarm System, Valentine One Radar Detector (How did I ever drive without one?), Pioneer DEH 7450 Head Unit w/6-pack CD changer, Pioneer DEQ 7600 Sound Processor, 2 Kenwood KAC-846 Amps powering 2 12" Pro Red subs, 2 Pioneer 6x9 and 2 MTX 4x6 speakers.
NEXT UP: TBI mods, 3.42 gears w/Torsen posi

 

Thanks guys! That's the answer I was looking for!

I do plan to replace all the hoses and thermostat while I've got the coolant drained.

Thanks again..