96 waterpump tube to lower hose

[kevink1955]

My 96 with a 3.8 engine just started leaking from the steel tube than connects the waterpump inlet to the lower hose, the tube has rusted out. I know that the small tubes on the top that connect to the heater hoses have had problems but this is the first time I have heard of the lower tube going bad.

Anyone done one, what are the chances I can get the tube out of the pump. I know it is a push in with an O ring to seal it but I wonder if it's going to be a problem geting it out.

[wiswind]

Sorry that you have not gotten any replies.
I have no experience with this part, and I guess you won't know until you get into the job and try to remove the tube.

[kevink1955]

Thanks Wiswind

I posted earyer today but it got lost somehow

I did the job this morning, the tube came out of the pump with a little wiggleing.

It was not rusted out as I expected, the cause of the leak was the paint or powder coat finish on the tube had delaminated and since the O ring seals on the outside of the tube (on the finish) there was a path for the coolant to flow under the finish. What I thought was rust was a blister in the finish that the coolant was escaping from.

I could have cleaned the tube up and reinstalled it with a new O ring but since I already had the parts I installed the new one.

Now I just have to wait for the rain to stop so I can look for leaks when I park in the driveway.