Coolant leak seal?

[Kielpo]

So got home and parked my 04 tahoe. Came out later to find a medium size puddle of coolant. Bad timing as I was trying to tank the family camping tomorrow ( about 1/2 hour away but pulling a camping trailer). Leak not coming from the radiator, think it may be the from the water pump but not sure.
Question is this do the copper or aluminum coolant leak sealer products really work or are they just a gimmick? I know this isn't the best solution but I'm kinda in a bind. This is the last straw for this tahoe, it's time to get a new vehicle.

Thanks,

Kielpo

 

[Fcvapor05]

If you're wiling to spend $500 to tow it back if (when) it fails, sure.. give it a shot.

 

[takotruckin]

Are you handy with a wrench? Water pump replacement on that truck is extremely easy

 

[jumbojak]

If you aren't sure what's leaking fgure it out before you dump goop in the cooling system or swap the water pump. Personall, I would fix the problem and leave the stop leak out altogether but it might be cheaper to replace a hose or clamp if that turns out to be the real problem than to use stop leak.

 

[Kielpo]

I'm no mechanic but if I can find a good youtube tutorial I might be able to swap it out. I don't have a lift or anything but have a few wrenches and a jack.

 

[ard]

Obviously, before buying parts or looking at YouTube videos, you need to diagnose the leak...


Do you know of a forum that has a section on 2004 Tahoes? Ask there. They've seen hundreds or thousands. You will usually hear "the usual thing to fail is XYZ followed by ABC"

In BMWs the first thing to check is the Coolant Tank.

I would not risk any of the stop leak things. In my younger days, I'd figure out how far I get on a gallon of water- then stock up accordingly.

 

[ZipSnafu]

Please do your self a favor and do not use stop leak.... your just asking for problems. Find the leak and post back here.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I'm no mechanic but if I can find a good youtube tutorial I might be able to swap it out. I don't have a lift or anything but have a few wrenches and a jack.

Hardest part for you would be the fan clutch.

 

[gungatim]

don't those have plastic elbows on the rear of intake and on the pump that crack and leak? not sure what years those were, but the 5.3's had that issue pretty common.

if the water pump itself is bad, it usually squirts out the weep hole near the shaft.

not recommending it, but my buddy just drove his 02 suburban from Mich to Florida last week with a pretty good leak. he stopped every time for gas and checked it and just added when he needed to...probably a better option than stop leak until you can have it properly diagnosed.

 

[finn]

A water pump seal leak can rapidly wash out the shaft bearings.

When the water pump bearings fail, the fan goes through the radiator.


Do you feel lucky?

 

[Kielpo]

Just to clarify I wasn't looking at the sealant as a permanent solution, just something to get me through the weekend. But it's clear that it isn't worth the risk if the members here don't recommend it. So this morning I pulled the old pump out and installed a fresh one. I think it may have just been the gaskets but not worth finding out while the family is waiting to go camping.
Thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate everything I am learning here.

Kielpo

PS - I think I need one of those certified youtube technician patches now��

 

[Nexussian]

Leak not coming from the radiator, think it may be the from the water pump but not sure.


Question is this do the copper or aluminum coolant leak sealer products really work?

Not on a water pump leaking from the shaft / shaft drain (that hole in the casting).