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So I bought a 99 olds alero with the 2.4 4 cyl with a known bad water pump. I had no idea how much of a PITA it was gonna be to change it, but I only paid $450 for the car. It’s in pretty good shape, so I figured what the hell…
So I looked online and researched the how to’s on changing the pump and got started. It was by far the hardest pump ice ever changed and a horribly designed engine. Anyways, I got it completed.
Started up just fine with no leaks, but idles real rough. Figured its been sitting a couple weeks so I’d take it for a spin. Ran just fine. Opened it up on the way back home and once I hit third gear (auto) a huge plume of white smoke came from the exhaust. I drove it normal all the way back home and again it ran fine until idling and it dies.
My first thought was a head gasket but I didn’t mess with any of that for one, and for two, wouldn’t the smoke be constant? I checked the oil and no water in it. Still no leaks that I can see. Cleaned and replaced all gaskets and the crank seal. Any ideas???
Thanks in advance!
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Yep those waterpumps are no fun. Never liked the Quad4 engines. The dual overheads are even more fun. Have you performed a coolant system pressure test? Another thing you could try if you have access to a pressure tester is hooking it up to the radiator while engine is cool, start it and watch the pressure rise on the gauge. Don’t pressurize it prior to starting it leave it at zero. If it rises rapidly you probably have a blown head gasket. A normal slow rise in pressure is fine. Also don’t let it get past the systems rated max pressure. Shut off the engine before that happens.
Sorry just noticed you found your problem, congratz. I’ll leave the post up just to help the next guy, good luck.
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