Astro- Help me find/fix my coolant leaks.

[Funk-O-Meter]

94' Astro
102k miles

Looks like I've got 2 small coolant leaks that I need help with fixing.

I've got a small leak dripping out of the bottom of my heater bypass valve. Shouldn't be a big deal to replace. When I replace it will I need to replace the 4 clamps on the hoses that attach to it at the same time?

The second I need help finding. It's a small leak and it's intermittent. I saw coolant dripping off the bottom radiator hose and assumed the hose was worn out and replaced it. Turns out it didn't fix the leak and after further investigation I saw coolant running down too the hose from above it. At this point I'm thinking it's coming form the bottom of the water pump but I want to know for sure before I go and replace it. It's hard to see up in there. The hose was only 15 bucks and I needed to flush the radiator anyway so that's not big deal, but I don't want to spend the time and money to replace the water pump just to find out it's something else again. What else could it be?

I think I remember the previous owner telling me that he had replaced the water pump at some point already and I wouldn't think that it would go bad so fast since it's only at 102k miles.

The engine did get a bit hot last week which was when I realized I had a leak. I discovered the coolant was low by at least a gallon and I was also low on oil. Shame on me. The engine got to about 230-240 for probably less than 15 minutes before I realized it was running hot. Maybe a water pump gasket failed because of this?

What do you guys think?

What else could be leaking besides the water pump?

Is this coolant coming from the weep holes on the pump telling me the pumps' barrings are going?

When I replace my heater bypass value do I need to replace all 4 hose clamps too?

[diggin]

You can clearly see the water pump when you crawl underneath , you may need a light to see it but you should be able to spot the problem. Soemtimes all you need to do is tighten up a clamp or two , especially when it gets real cold outside and you have gear clamps.

[Funk-O-Meter]

Yea I was finally able to see where the leak was coming from this morning. I had to wait till it started (which was intermittent) and crawl up there in the pouring rain with a bright a$$ flashlight and saw it is coming from the weep holes, or at least one weep hole on the water pump. I couldn't see the other hole as there's a pulley in the way but no matter, the pump needs to be replaced anyway.

So there you have it! I need to replace the water pump. And my heater valve. Neither of which should be a big deal. I think I can do both myself.

So, when I pull off all the hoses that I'll be pulling off do I need to replace the claps? Most of them aren't the screw-tight kind (pardon lack of vocabulary) but the simple type with no adjustment screw.

[blkmonday]

go ahead and replace the clamps while your in there...they are cheap and new clamps will be less likely to fail. also make sure everything is nice and clean and dry on your gasket surface. i like to use a little rtv black sealant along with the gasket. just put some on your finger and lightly apply a layer to the water pump gasket surface and then place the gasket on the pump and then a very light layer of rtv on top of the gasket..then install the pump. both gasket surfaces have to be clean with no traces of the old gasket. give the rtv time to cure, before putting in coolant. you should be good to go. good luck

[95SafariGuy]

Another thing you may want to check is your radiator. I was a little baffled when the recovery tank would always remain empty after repeated topping off of the radiator and tank to correct level. Pressure test the radiator, the plastic material along the sides is prone to hairline cracks which are nearly impossible to see when visually inspecting and generally wont leak at idle.

[Funk-O-Meter]

I replaced the waterpump which was a totaly PITA when it shouldn't have been but that's another story! Still need to do the heater bypass valve but It's a very minor leak so I'll get to it soon. Engine runs at normal temp now.