93 Lumina coolant leak

[jnette8475]

I have a 93 Chevy Lumina that seems to have one problem after another! I think that my water pump went bad but would like a second opinion. The past few days there has been a squeaking sound under my hood when I have the defrost on. My windshield fogs up if the defrost is not on. The coolant light came on today so I popped the hood and a mist of water was coming off of the serpantine belt. Oh I almost forgot to mention that their has been steam or fog or smoke coming from under my hood the past dew days when I stop at a light. I really hate it because it has no gauge for the temp just dummy lights. Any ideas, I am really strapped for cash and can't afford to go get ripped of at the mechanics, again!!

[mrrob]

Take it to a shop you trust or have a friend recommend you to one, it sounds like you might have a heater core problem if your windshield is fogging up, but cooling systems can be deceiving, a cooling system pressure test will show you the problem, just ask the mechanic if you can watch as he does it.

Then you will know!

Mr.Rob

Lic Mech Auto/Truck/Trailer Ect..

[jeffcoslacker]

Take a small mirror, and try to look up and behind the water pump pulley, to see if the coolant is coming from the weep holes in the pump casting. It sounds like you have a couple of different things happening simultaneously, your heater core might be leaking or have a hose loose going to it. If the coolant looks to be heavy with rust, everything in the cooling system is probably deteriorating.

[jeffcoslacker]

You also need to check for proper thermostat operation. If you aren't familiar with the procedure, have it done, or have help, I don't want you to end up burnt by superheated coolant. But overheat can force coolant out from several locations, like you describe.

Basically, you are looking for coolant flow from the engine to the radiator, once the engine warms up. You can get a rough idea by gauging the temp of the hoses by feeling them. With the motor cold, start and let idle. As the engine warms up, there should be a moment when the hoses suddenly feel a rush of warmth, going to and from the motor. This should happen within 6-10 minutes. If the motor continues to warm, possibly even to the point that it begins to smell of heat, and there is still no temp in the hoses and radiator, the thermostat is probably not opening. The more direct way to tell is by running it up to operating temp with the radiator cap off, and observing the coolant flow directly. Just before the 'stat opens, the water level will begin to surge up and down, cycling like that, until finally dropping away suddenly, followed by a rush of coolant through the core. Problem is, if it is not opening, the surge will amplifiy until coolant is being violently ejected from the radiator, and a large eruption is likely when the motor is shut off. This is why I am concerned about safety if you haven't done this before. Make sure you are clear of the path of ejection, and no kids or pets or anything around. Its hard to know when to look down in there, and when to get outta the way until you've been doing it for a while. I have personally seen a column of superheated coolant come within inches of my face, but I'm too quick!(famous last words)

[Kooterskkar]

If youve got water sprayin of the belt then its deffinately the water pump. Id say you might also have a bad heater core if the windsheild is fogging up and it hasnt rained lately.