Hi Everyone,

Just bout a 77' aspen wagon with a super slant6 225. Today when I got home I noticed some coolant leaking front the front of the engine, that part the fan is connected to. I started the car up to see exactly where the coolant was coming from and it started to pour fairly quickly from the area I have circled in the picture.

Any clue as to what is wrong and what needs to be done. I am a complete novice and slowly learning about mechanics.

Thanks,

Wes

 

Looks to me like the water pump is bad

 

Ok so the water pump is what the fan is connected to? Could it be the gasket? Thanks

 

Pumps have a hole under there to where the shaft is. It is an indicator to tell us that the pump seal is leaking.

 

ohh ok, so does that mean the whole pump needs replacing or just the seal?

 

replace the pump.

 

Replace the pump. Its a fairly simple job. Go to your local parts store to get a pump. The pump will come with a mounting gasket. It will require the basic tools. If your new to this and want to learn, a manual would be a wise investment.
Your going to drain the coolant to change the pump. It would be a good time to inspect the hoses and change the bad ones. If your coolant looks rusty or murky, put new coolant in too.

 

If you plan on driving it Replace the leaky water pump, both radiator hoses, the by pass hose, the thermostat and the belts. Then you wont have to worry for a long long time.. I could probably do it in a hour or so. Make an afternoon project our of it..

It is easier to cut the hoses rather than wiggle them off the radiator -possibly damage the radiator

 

Wes that's the weep hole for the water pump seal...its a tell tale for the front seal failure...if you replace the pump it is also your chance to replace the other things you take off if they are in sad shape....

 

Wow guys thanks a lot for the quick and informative replies. I looked on ebay and it looks like it is a bolt on part with one gasket so it doesnt appear to be overly difficult. I will replace the hoses as suggested to. Again, thanks for the help.

Wes

Here she is... immaculate - 1 owner, 58,000 mil
es, garage kept.

 

is the understatement of the year. I don't know where all you can buy these, but reprints and CD's show up on ebay all the time.

Get a copy of the FACTORY shop manual, not a Chilton or a Haynes

Prob'ly cost you 20-40 bucks

 

Mine cost 9.95 plus 4 bucks shipping off of eggbay...got real lucky...