Engine water leaking

DANNY1420

MEMBER
1992 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
5.7L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
144,234 MILES

I noticed water leaking from which I thought was the lower radiator hose. So I changed the lower radiator hose. Water is still leaking. So then I thought well it must be coming from water pump. So I changed water pump. This is the second time I changed water pump within maybe just a little over a year ago. After I put new water pump in my vehicle and had everything back together I started putting water into radiator and within like three seconds I seen water leaking out and it was coming from the same exact area. And the water seemed to be leaking out pretty fast. It was not leaking out straight down. It seemed to be leaking out and then maybe running down onto whatever is down there and drips off all across somewhere by or near or underneath or maybe somewhere above water pump area. And it did not seem to be leaking as fast before I changed water pump. So help please.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,741 POSTS

You are the one who has to identify what is leaking, but given your description, and the age of the vehicle, my guess is there is a corroded core plug. There are usually three on each side of a V-8 engine. They are below the cylinder heads, so you will not see any wetness up that high. To make it even more miserable, they are often hidden behind an engine mount or cross member.

If you do find one of these plugs is leaking, there is a special tool that makes installing the new one easy, and at the correct depth. The kit includes various length handles and multiple cones. You pick the cone that matches the diameter of the plug, and attach the handle that works best. They swivel too to aid in getting in tight places.