I recently replaced my old leaking water pump with a auto zone replacement(which from what I read here was a bad choice)and doesn't leak anymore but I noticed that when my engine thermostat opens up it makes the engine run rougher and sort of miss, also the serpinte belt tensioner goes crazy, I just replaced it recently, the car runs fine except when the water pump is activated, so my guess is that its a bad one
1990 rs camaro
V6 3.1
thanks

[This message has been edited by dsaint1347 (edited November 26, 2001).]

 

sounds like thats your problem... pull it off, return it and get a good one from summit or a reputable auto parts store.

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~Luke
'91 Firebird :: L03/700R4 ::
Mods: Catco cat - Flowmaster 80 series - B&M Shift kit - TA tail lights - GTA rims - K&N - MacEwen guages
Stereo: Pioneer DEH-P8200R - Cadence 4x6's - Pioneer 6x9's - Kicker amps - Kicker 10" CompVR

 

Well, the water pump's always activated... it doesn't stop spinning if the thermostat's closed. Is the belt new or old? Did the pulley seat correctly, or, are the bolts loosening up? If you pull the belt, spin the water pump with your hand. It should spin somewhat easily, and you shouldn't feel (or hear!) any grinding noises. Also, examine the "weep holes".. they're "under" the water pump's pulley. If they're dripping coolant, the pump's seal is shot.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

did you get the new water pump, or the rebuilt one? rebuilt ones are crap, I try not to sell them. either way, you should still have a warranty on it.

Q: I pulled the water pump off mine, & it had these green coolant crystalline things on the inside, WTF! never seen anything like it, any ideas.

 

I have a "lifetime warranty rebuild" one... good thing, too... it died a month after I bought it, I got a replacement- it leaked as soon as I started the car, and finally, the one after that was good. (That was 5 years ago... wow.)

That stuff comes from using tap water to make the 50/50 mix in the cooling system... we're all "supposed to" use distilled water. That's the stuff for use in steam irons, and it's got no deposits in it (which would clog the iron). Supposedly, the deposits can actually get into, and ruin, the water pump's seal! But, look at how many of us use tap water...


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

I was told by a friend of mine that it could be the AC clutch engaging? When that happens, RPM's drop, and the tensioner gets somewhat jerky from what he say's how do you fix that?

 

It could definately be that.. does this only happen if you run the defroster (or use the a/c selections)? You don't really "fix" that.. it's normal.

Like I asked, is the belt new or old? I'm assuming new?


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

I changed the belt along with the belt tensioner since then i've noticed that problem.