4.3 Vortec water pump gaskets keep blowing

I have a 93 S10 ext cab 4x4 and the son of a b*tch keeps blowing the water pump gaskets. I've owned the truck for less than 2 weeks and I've had to replace the gaskets 3 times now. The last time I bought a new pump and put it in thinking it would be fixed, and tonight it blew them again. Does anyone know anything about this issue or am I just gonna have to keep doing it til it stops?? LOL

I appreciate any help I can get right now. I bought this truck cuz my 4 door jimmy 4x4 blew the motor a month ago. I am familiar with s10's just this one has me stumped. Thanks guys!!

My dad had a similar problem on a 94. We bought a new pump thinking that was the problem, but apparently it was double gasketed. So, Make sure you clean both surfaces really well, and use Permatex (I think #2 works the best)with the paper gasket, and you should be good. Unless of couse the pump is crap.

Edited: 2/15/2008 5:02:27 PM by Streatch

js51:

I did that, and today the intake gasket on the drivers side head blew and pissed out a stream of coolant. It seems like the thing is building up too much pressure or something. I thought maybe it was the thermostat sticking so I got a new one and threw it int his afternoon. Thats when the intake gasket spewed coolant out, after I put it all back together. So now it looks like tomorow i'm pullin the intake off and putting new gaskets in.

Thanks for your input though. Anyone else got a suggestion? I'm ready to blow the mother sky high.

Edited: 2/15/2008 5:40:39 PM by lucky_brew



This is a common problem with the gm intake manifold gaskets.(they are a poor design) They leak and the water runs down the back of the engine. you must replace with a new and better gasket, or the head surface will be pitted and then the whole thing must be resufaced or replaced.

also, are you using "regular coolant" or dexcool (aka dex shit?) reason im asking, high silicate "regular" coolant is better than the recommended dexcool

if you are using dexcool then you need to totally flush it and put in the regualr shit!

also use the dealer gaskets or a good felpro gasket.

btw: fel pro part # MS98000T for the intake gasket if memory serves me correctly...

your best bet is to replace all the gaskets related to most of the cooling system and put in regualr coolant. also, going to a shop that has the flush machine is a good idea as well. if these engines arent properly mainained they eat gaskets, thermostats, head gaskets and heater cores on a regular basis! it was a rather shitty design on gm's behalf. i personally think dexcool intentionally eats this shit on purpose to keep you back at the dealership! (thats just my theory man...hahaha)

ive got many years experience with these coolant disasters! feel free to hit me up. (pm me and ill give ya my number) i still know a guy that works at the gm dealer too...

if nothing works then i have a book of matches i can send you!