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Water Pump Woes

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pump water woes
14K views 13 replies 5 participants last post by  Vitracker  
#1 ·
After putting a ton of work into the cruze I brought back from the dead, my new water pump and gasket is leaking after just 50 or so miles (about a week). I used the AISIN WPK819 kit off rockauto. I used copper rtv on both sides when I saw the original metal gasket had it on it. The gasket I got was not metal but I used rtv anyway. torqued to 71 in/lbs.

What's everyones experience with the non-metal gaskets? Should I have installed dry?
 
#2 ·
I use disc brake quiet spray for sealer. A friend told me it's lousy at it's purpose but works very good as a sealer.

The only reason a new water pump would leak with a new gasket. Is either the gasket got torn or improperly installed or the engine surface didn't get thoroughly cleaned. Or the water pump is defective.
 
#3 ·
From an old mechanic.....(me) taught by even older mechanics, likely buried by now.......Gasket OR Glue.......never Gasket AND Glue.

One or the other but never both......ok for corners but never more.

Regarding the water pump....Did you replace the bolts and are you aware there are different torque specs based on bolt position?
If the pump is leaking at the gasket area, the error is from sealant use or fastener re-use with incorrect torque, warping the pump body.

If the leak is at the weep hole, you got a bum pump.....nothing you could do will cause this failure.

Rob
 
#6 ·
I torqued to 71in/lbs, the manual page I have says 71in/lbs for all. I reused the bolts, my pump never came with new ones. I was under the impression that while they are TTY many people where reusing them with sucess? Can these bolts be purchased separately? I don't see a listing

I think my issues are coming from sealant+gasket honestly. or it slipped off during install.

This car was also leaking oil big time before I replaced the valve cover and cam sensor seals, so my leak is hard to diagnose as coolant or oil. What could be causing a fluid leak on that side of the engine that is a common failure?

If it is the waterpump gasket I will be replacing with the oem metal gasket, no rtv!!!
 
#8 ·
I cannot find much on your Cruze, so...

[h=2]Fix my Cruze!!![/h]
We want to help you fix your Cruze as quickly as possible. To do that, we need some basic information, such as:

1. Year, trim level, and transmission.
2. Miles on the car!!!
3. Check engine light, airbag, or other warning light on or "Service [insert system here]" message showing? Has somebody told you the code if the check engine light is on?
4. Approximate location of the issue.
5. As detailed a description of the problem as you can give. Something like "My 2012 Cruze Eco manual transmission with 50k miles on it is making a grinding noise from around the brake pedal at 12 mph every time I start the car, and doesn't do it again until I start the car again" is enough to let us get started. (Hint: I described the ABS self-check, and that check is normal for every Cruze on startup)
6. Country! Your warranty and repair options might be different in other countries than here in the United States or Canada.
7. (as needed): Left-hand drive or right-hand drive? If your car is right-hand drive, that's nice to know since a lot of us on this board have little experience with RHD cars.

Lastly, please be patient and polite! All the folks on this board are doing this in their spare time for free, so we might not be able to reply immediately.​
stolen from Sciphi


 
#9 ·
Sorry ok usually better at this. I must have not saved changes to my sig when I entered it.

2012 Chevy Cruze, 77k, 1.4 a/t

So does anyone have a part number for bolts? I can’t find them it seems. My dealer isn’t much help unless I have a part number. And for toque specs.. you can forget them giving those out. The Holden Cruze manual I was using says 71 in/lbs so I’d love to know the revised specs.

This car has had so many coolant and oil leaks that it’s hard to tell what’s leaking sometimes. Its pulled in my garage now, cleaned the floor before I parked so I should know for sure soon.

Thanks for the help everyone.
 
#10 ·
Looks like I need to change the name of this thread... to oil leak woes. It's hard for me to tell what's leaking because of my gravel driveway. But pulling on to the clean garage floor confirms it's oil. And the leak seems to be getting faster and faster.

So it's on the accessory side (front) of the engine for sure. Cam sensor seals are new, valve cover and gasket are new, does this leave front main seal? I took a video and I think that's what it is. I have never seen a car with so low miles and only 5 years old leak this much oil!! Is this a common oil leak location?

It almost looks like the main pulley is throwing oil on the tensioner spring, bottom of engine mount and oil pan.

I managed to take a video to try confirm Running: https://streamable.com/pm6eb Not running: https://streamable.com/lxpcq

Any of the pros want to confirm this is a front seal? I DON'T WANT TO GUESS ANYMORE!! :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

oh and mods... can you change my title to oil leak woes? Sorry!! lol
 
#12 ·
Robby! you're the man! I recently replaced the valve cover/gasket due to p0171 code. Since then the car has ran all readiness monitors and no CEL whatsoever. Just to rule it out I just ran outside and checked the disc on top of the cover, no air getting sucked in. I also used my phone to take another video. There is no oil on the new waterpump, which should rule out the cam actuator seals and the valve cover gasket correct? As the oil would be covering that on the way down.

It's more noticeable after a long drive. I make mostly short trips (under 5 min), but when I drive for 20 minutes or more there is a puddle of oil about 2 inches in diameter dripping off the plastic shield.

If anyone thinks they can help me figure it out with more details or pictures just ask!
 
#14 ·
I replaced the main crank seal today, it’s a cheap part and easy replacement. Leak seems to have stopped for now.

Very difficult to get a torque wrench on the crank bolt to torque to 111ft/lbs, but removal and install was easy with impact wrench.

Did the truck where you warm up the engine and pug the seal in the freezer, worked perfect as usual.