coolant leak

[mallar]

I have heavy coolant leak in my 97 3000GT SOHC ATX, most probably from the water pump. When I opened the intake, there was whole lot of coolant in the V block. thought it was just the O-ring in the coolant pipe that snaps to the water pump. I replaced it and was holding coolant for some time, but now it is starting to leak again. I am quite sure that it is the water pump now. Because I do not have time to replace it, I am waiting for the spring break. What I am not understanding is I get coolant sign on the dash board when I hit the brake while on the road. I am just pouring the coolant taking the thermostat out and there is some coolant in the coolant tank but it never goes down. I have no clue what is happening, is it because of the leak from the water pump? my engine was overheating couple of times and I took the thermostat, with no coolant in it but smoke coming out of it. But there was sill coolant in the tank, upto the height between high and low. I poured some coolant taking the termostat out and it was fine after then. I am not sure why the coolant in the tank is not going through.. looking for ideas before I change the water pump... I'd appreciate it.

[stojie3000]

Originally Posted by mallar

I have heavy coolant leak in my 97 3000GT SOHC ATX, most probably from the water pump. When I opened the intake, there was whole lot of coolant in the V block. thought it was just the O-ring in the coolant pipe that snaps to the water pump. I replaced it and was holding coolant for some time, but now it is starting to leak again. I am quite sure that it is the water pump now. Because I do not have time to replace it, I am waiting for the spring break. What I am not understanding is I get coolant sign on the dash board when I hit the brake while on the road. I am just pouring the coolant taking the thermostat out and there is some coolant in the coolant tank but it never goes down. I have no clue what is happening, is it because of the leak from the water pump? my engine was overheating couple of times and I took the thermostat, with no coolant in it but smoke coming out of it. But there was sill coolant in the tank, upto the height between high and low. I poured some coolant taking the termostat out and it was fine after then. I am not sure why the coolant in the tank is not going through.. looking for ideas before I change the water pump... I'd appreciate it.

sounds like the same issue i had with my grand prix not the same car i know but the same problems the car cannot take the coolant because the head gasket is junk and there are exhaust gasses pushing through the break in it not letting a vaccuum form to suck coolant from the reservoir. a for sure test for this would be to pour coolant into the engine and as you are dong it rev the engine to about 1800 rpm if the coolant pushes out at the same rate you are revving then that is actually your exhaust pushing through your cooling system. no signs of smoke out of your exhaust. good luck dont chance it just do the gaskets and the waterpump they dont take that long especially since either way the timing belt has to come off whats a couple of head bolts?