The water is being put in because it was overheating. We changed the thermostat and everything and it got better, but about a month later it started overheating again and now it is leaking water bad from underneath the car. Whatever is leaking is covered by a shield thing. Im not sure what it is, and I dont want to replace it before I know if thats really what it is. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
My '97 Pontiac Grand Prix is leaking the water we put into it from underneath the car. Is it the water pump?
If the leak is on the passenger side of the car (near the tire) then it is most likely your water pump. It is driven by the serpentine belt that drives most of the visible components on the passenger side of the engine. (power steering, A/C, Alternator etc)
To check it, you need to look UNDER the water pump, it has a weep hole. If this small (1/8%26quot;) hole is wet, or shows signs of having been leaking (like discoloration or rust) then your waterpump seals or bearings are going. The unit must be replaced. This should also fix your over heating problems.
If the leak is near the back-center of the engine, then it may be a frost plug (also called a freeze plug) these are designed to pop if the enging coolant freezes to prevent damage to the engine block, they can also be opened if the engine over heats. Be careful when replacing this plug, if you drive it INTO the engine, you will have to dismantle the engine to get it out again. On the plus side, you can get rubber plugs that are easy to install and quite inexpensive.
I'd place the water pump as the most likely problem.
My '97 Pontiac Grand Prix is leaking the water we put into it from underneath the car. Is it the water pump?
It could be but try checking the hoses of the radiator, maybe the damage is not as bad as it seems.
Your water pump is bad. My water pump just got replaced because it did the same.
what motor is in the car if its a 3.1 or a 3.4 Daremo is right on the ball there one thing i would add is to check the lower intake gaskets they tend to go alot if its a 3.8 there are 2 little coolant pipes that are sealed with o rings they leak alot too they are right by the drive belt tensioner
GM tech
It probably is the waater pump. The bad thing is that I believe the water pump is run by the timing, which means it is major engine work. If you are not VERY comfortable doing mechanic work, then I would suggest carrying it to a professional mechanic. It also means a good time to replace timing components.
your are going to take the bottom cover off anyway 5(MIN) i do not think its the bottom radiator hose (lucky)freeze plug, water pump
Is it raining outside?
COULD BE A BAD HOSE AS WELL
easy answer: If it's a 3.1 or 3.4 lean over the engine and look straight down. You are going to look straight down below the air intlet, lots of plastic tubing there, and straight down behind the powersteering pump. If you see an orange substance there your intake is leaking. $600+. If it's not there look next at the belt. Look for the forward most pulley, it's the a.c. compressor. If it's orange on the top it's the water pump. If neither of those are the case the cylinder head gasket on bank 2, aka the side facing the firewall of the car or back of car. Unfortunatly those are all very costly repairs, the water pump being the least, the head gasket being worst.
