Water Pump-Join In The Fun - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Ironhorse** · 02-23-2011, 11:54 PM

Well, after reading several postings about 5.7L water pump failures I guess my '99 Tahoe is stepping up to the plate also. 111K miles and been seeping some for last week or two. I had looked it over and could not really tell if it was the pump or another problem so took it in and had it pressure tested. Yep, you need a w/pump Bud. Now I'm thinking would be a great time to ditch the pink Dex-Cool and go back to the ol' green stuff I've used for years. Thinking to flush and re-fill with the green, replace upper and lower radiator hoses, new 195 degreee thermostat and re-useable gasket. Do the drain and flush before the new pump install and any recommendations of a flush kit? Haven't had to use one for years, most likely have changed since the last flush kit I bought. Any thoughts much appreciated as this is Momma's ride and we all know "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"

Jerry Jones · 03-02-2011, 02:45 AM

Someone help him keep Momma happy...TTT

usmcchevy · 03-02-2011, 08:51 AM

I always just take a garden hose in every opening until they all run clear. This includes flushing the rad top to bottom, take out T-stat and water top to bottom in engine and then remove the heater hoses and flush the heater core. Then make sure everything is drained and refill with a 50/50 mix. No problem so far for me using this method.

68C15 · 03-11-2011, 08:07 AM

Thexton has an adapter (#356IIRC) for your garden hose to go into heater hoses. remove stat and reinstall housing, remove one heater hose, place adaptor into hose, attach a 4' length to nipple, flush into container until it comes clear. drain radiator and block. the block has 2 plugs. one on driver's side (9/16 swivel) and knock sensor on pass. side (7/8 deep socket). make sure the knock sensor get torqued to 15 foot lbs. refill with 50/50. then 3 months later get angry about intake gaskets leaking coolant. LOL

**Ironhorse** · 03-11-2011, 10:51 AM

Well the water pump, thermostat and coolant change has been accomplished. Now, hopefully the intake gasket likes the new coolant and doesn't give problems. Time will tell.

02-23-2011, 11:54 PM	#1
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,031	Water Pump-Join In The Fun Well, after reading several postings about 5.7L water pump failures I guess my '99 Tahoe is stepping up to the plate also. 111K miles and been seeping some for last week or two. I had looked it over and could not really tell if it was the pump or another problem so took it in and had it pressure tested. Yep, you need a w/pump Bud. Now I'm thinking would be a great time to ditch the pink Dex-Cool and go back to the ol' green stuff I've used for years. Thinking to flush and re-fill with the green, replace upper and lower radiator hoses, new 195 degreee thermostat and re-useable gasket. Do the drain and flush before the new pump install and any recommendations of a flush kit? Haven't had to use one for years, most likely have changed since the last flush kit I bought. Any thoughts much appreciated as this is Momma's ride and we all know "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

03-02-2011, 02:45 AM	#2
Jerry Jones Happy Camper Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 8,408	Re: Water Pump-Join In The Fun Someone help him keep Momma happy...TTT __________________ RIP El Jay! Love you brother!

03-11-2011, 08:07 AM	#4
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	Re: Water Pump-Join In The Fun Thexton has an adapter (#356IIRC) for your garden hose to go into heater hoses. remove stat and reinstall housing, remove one heater hose, place adaptor into hose, attach a 4' length to nipple, flush into container until it comes clear. drain radiator and block. the block has 2 plugs. one on driver's side (9/16 swivel) and knock sensor on pass. side (7/8 deep socket). make sure the knock sensor get torqued to 15 foot lbs. refill with 50/50. then 3 months later get angry about intake gaskets leaking coolant. LOL

03-11-2011, 10:51 AM	#5
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,031	Re: Water Pump-Join In The Fun Well the water pump, thermostat and coolant change has been accomplished. Now, hopefully the intake gasket likes the new coolant and doesn't give problems. Time will tell. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

03-02-2011, 08:51 AM	#3
usmcchevy Has more rust than truck... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ivanhoe, MN Posts: 2,421	Re: Water Pump-Join In The Fun I always just take a garden hose in every opening until they all run clear. This includes flushing the rad top to bottom, take out T-stat and water top to bottom in engine and then remove the heater hoses and flush the heater core. Then make sure everything is drained and refill with a 50/50 mix. No problem so far for me using this method. __________________ 1972 Custom/10 SWB, 4.8/4l80e Build thread LSx Swap FAQ index



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