I have a 2002 Chevy Astro. In addition to some non-critical exterior and interior damage, the coolant system leaks like a sieve. I’ve been told that the water pump is shot. I’m suspicious that there is more leaking in the coolant system than just the water pump, but I haven’t had it thoroughly investigated yet.
The van has about 175k miles on it. With the need for repairs, the best potential value for it right now is maybe $1000.
I’m trying to decide if it is worth pursuing repairs on the poor beastie or if I should just keep topping it off ahead of the leaks and replacing smaller things like tires. At the moment, the van is fairly precious to us because it is our only vehicle and we wouldn’t be able to replace it without several months of saving up. But, we are fortunate in that we could complete our day-to-day errands without it if need be.
We’re still paying the sucker off, so I’d rather have a functioning object than not if I have to pay money for it either way. Just not sure where the best place to put our limited funds is right now.
The water pump itself is only held on by a handful of bolts (with a gasket between the pump and the engine block), but it generally sits behind other parts that must be removed first to get them out of the way. The Astro’s cooling fan is also attached to the water pump and needs to come off first.
The parts should be quite cheap.
However, don’t forget the cost of the necessary tools. They’re just basic hand tools, but if you don’t already own a good assortment of tools…a ratchet and socket set, some wrenches, you’ll probably end up wanting at least a set of pliers and something to pry/wiggle the hoses off…it can add up fast. On the other hand, good tools should last you a lifetime.
Of course, only you know how mechanically inclined you are.
I think someone who’s already managed a few basics like an oil change and/or spark plug replacement should be able to tackle a water pump with plenty of patience, thinking ahead, and having a backup plan (someone who knows more than you who can be called to help) if you can’t get it done.
If you’re not mechanically inclined at all, I’m not sure if a water pump is the place to start learning.
Chris said pretty much what I was going to say. The water pump is going to be around $50. If you’re mechanically inclined, you could probably do it yourself in an afternoon. I would plan on closer to $60-$70 since you’ll need some other things too. Gasket, another gasket after you screw up the first one, maybe an offset box wrench, gasket sealant, antifreeze etc.
What makes you think there’s more then just the water pump leaking?
With that type of mileage, the water pump would certainly be very suspect of a leak.
The water pump can be checked. Usually the bearings are worn and the shaft can be wiggled back and forth a bit. It should have no play at all. A leak can be detected by checking under the pump shaft. There is a weep hole there that will be wet if it’s leaking. Also, you may see some white crustiness from the dried coolant. A mechanic can pressure check the system and find the leak.
But the bad news is that in those engines, intake gasket leaks are quite common. The intake manifold gasket can leak to the outside and or to the inside of the engine where the coolant is burned in the cylinders. Look for white smoke on start up or some rough running of the engine. I know visibility is poor in there, but a flashlight and a mirror might allow you to look all around the edge of the gasket to see if it’s wet. It does not take an awful lot because the liquid dissipates quickly. Replacing these intake gaskets is very expensive.
If you can determine a water pump leak yourself, try to change it yourself. Otherwise, pay for a professional to pressure check the engine so you know what you are dealing with. The problem is that even if you keep topping off the coolant, some air is in the system all the time and that will eventually lead to a cracked head and engine self destruction.
While it is probably cheaper to fix what you have than replace it, I have a few comments.
I agree that diagnosis is critical. You have a leaking radiator instead or in addition.
I disagree that this is a do it yourself project if you have not done auto repairs before.
Access to the water pump in a van is minimal. As in you might start on this job and find yourself asking “How the fuck am I supposed to change this piece of shit?”
you may end up swearing that they started the assembly of the van with a water pump and built the rest of the van around it.
If you do decide to tackle it yourself, do this first. Cut a large piece of heavy duty cardboard and place it on the back of the radiator (between the radiator and fan) FIRST. Tape it in place. Leave the cardboard there until you are done. The cardboard might just save you from having to buy a radiator from damage done while trying to get the water pump off.
Good luck
That is an awful lot of mileage for such a young van. But this kind of failure is not unexpected, given the mileage it has. I don’t know what kind of credit rating you have, but 1k is the down payment I put on my 2006 sedan (which hasn’t given me a lick of trouble). If it comes down to paying 1k for repairs or putting up a 1k down payment (if you’re not able to do it yourself, that is), I’d vote to sell the van and get something new. This of course also depends on your ability to make a car payment while paying off the van.
I vote for fixing it, I hate the way that vehicles have become so disposable, it’s only 8 years old, to me that is almost new.
My current car is 22 years old and has plenty of life left in it.
If you have no confidence in the engine then go buy a second hand one, there must be thousands of them in scrapyards with less mileage than yours.
I’m guessing a Chevrolet Astro is RWD* which means an engine swap would be about as simple as diagnosing and changing a water pump.
*I’m English so I have never even heard of one.
Next time buy Japanese, you will not regret it. my last Nissan covered 375,000 miles before I sold it, still drove like new.
ROFL. it’s only since the late '90s that an 8-year-old car could have anyone with a brain consider it “almost new.”
ignorant bullshit.
so you have no idea what it is he drives, but you’re supposing that there are thousands of engines in scrapyards just waiting for him to buy one? are you just posting so you can see your words on the screen or something?
Well having done some research it seems I’m correct in assuming that they are indeed RWD, and they were in production for 20 years, so there WILL be thousands of them either in scrapyards or available to purchase for next to nothing.
Kindly explain what the fuck your problem is, you prick.:rolleyes:
it was. cars didn’t last for shit until the last 15-20 years. my dad’s daily driver is still a 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T. In 1980, the notion of having a 1960 anything as a daily driver was fucking ludicrous.
the notion that someone can not know anything about a specific vehicle but still feel qualified to dispense advice on repairing it- is my problem. Even on a cramped vehicle like a Chevy Astro, changing a water pump is a lot easier and cheaper than swapping out the goddamn engine.
You’re on a roll, jz78817. Two warnings in one day in different threads. Refrain from insulting other posters outside the Pit or you will find your posting privileges in jeopardy.
I don’t have a high opinion of Astro vans, and thus would not be prone to recommend putting a bunch of money into one. Then again, I have a customer with an '88 Astro that still runs despite his best efforts.
If there are several big leaks, fixing the water pump may not be cost-effective in the big picture. But if it’s the biggest (or better yet the only) leak then fixing it would be worthwhile. A rapid leak such as you describe is a recipe for running too low on coolant, severely overheating, and suffering expensive engine damage. Not fixing it means ongoing high risk of this happening.
In your situation I’d say the thing to keep in mind as far as where to spend money is transportation value rather than resale value.
Dear Baron, that is dreadfully wrong. Its being RWD does NOT mean an engine swap is simple. That might be the case in SOME RWD vans, but is certainly not the case in an Astro. Access is fairly shrouded and engine replacement is a big job, unquestionably too expensive for the OP’s situation.
True to a point, but the OP is looking for helpful advice. Saying it’s up to the OP to accept or reject does not excuse inapplicable, useless, or detrimental advice. Kindly be more certain of your facts in future.
BwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Oh god stop it you are killing me.
Engine swap on a van as easy as changing a water pump.
BwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
::: Rick wipes tears of laughter from his eyes, and catches breath:::
::: Reads Baron Skinley Von Clipper’s post again:::
BwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
::: Rick falls back on the floor laughing:::
This thread is comedy gold.
