1997 Chevy Astro Leaks

DR04

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO

Warranty problem
1997 Chevy Astro 6 cyl

My 1997 Astro Van is leaking a small amount (anywhere from a nickel size to maybe an once) of what looks like coolant. The leak seems to be around the front middle to right side of the car. It does not do this all the time. A friend told me it sounded like a leaky water pump. Could this be the problem? Are they expensive to replace? Being a single woman I have gotten burned by auto repairs in the past, so I am trying to get educated before I take my car to be fixed.

2 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,709 POSTS

Hi:

First, make sure it's the pump. It could be a hose, the overflow resivor, the radiator. Based on the amount of colant you are loosing, look under the water pump. You will find a small round seep hole. Most of the time, when the bearing / seal is going bad in the pump, it will leak from there. Check for indicators that the pump is leaking or has leaked in the past.

I looked up an estimated cost of repair, and found it to be around $250.00. If I can help you with anything else, let me know.

Joe

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Monday, October 13th, 2008 AT 10:27 PM

TECHMAN1

MEMBER
82 POSTS

There is this thingy doohicky that the fan blade bolts to. This is the water pump. The water pump has on it's body what is called a "weep hole". It is a tiny little hole that lets coolant drain out if the water pump shaft seals start to go bad.

It is pretty simple. After you drive the vehicle and get it up to normal operating temperature, shut it off, and raise the hood, and look around with a flashlight and you will see coolant coming out somewhere. It may be dripping off the water pump or around a radiator hose or heater hose connection. It should not be hard to find.

Good Luck,

Ken

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Thursday, October 16th, 2008 AT 9:14 PM