1997 Chevy Camaro Water Pump Bad?

P RINDGE

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET CAMARO
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
90,000 MILES

LT1 Motor - was overheating. Found temp sensor in head broken - replaced (GM part). Bled system upon refill of coolant on a hill (nose up) using the bleeder valves - felt confident. Started it up with heater on waited for thermostat to open to observe flow, lots of bubbling out of coolant and continued to use bleeders. Never saw flow (even from the little hose from the pump to the radiator neck)and no heat. Fans came on and dash guage indicated hot but not red zone. If reved a little, dash guage would fluctuate down quickly and then rise quickly. Placed the cap on and there was lots of bubbling in the overflow tank and the thermostat housing bleeder blew steam off like a tea kettle - shut it down. We have the long thermostat as required. I don't think it is the thermostat b/c we do not have heat and the little hose would still have flow. I think water pump. Anybody agree?
Thank you.
Stumped and frustrated.
Phil

5 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,758 POSTS

Sounds like you may have a blown head gasket. I suggest you have chemical tests done to determine if that is the case or not.

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Monday, August 23rd, 2010 AT 1:17 PM

P RINDGE

MEMBER
9 POSTS

Thanks Wrenchtech. If the head gasket was bad wouldn't we still have heat and see flow in the radiator neck? I was thinking that these 2 factors eliminated the head gasket as an issue. The chemical tests you mention - what and how do they check for?
Phil