WHile getting the old girl ready for the show doing the last minuite work. I noticed a small drip coming from the lower rad hose. It had just driven the car about 10 miles to the gas station and back. No, problem I thought a little bad timing but I went to autozone ang was able to get another hose. When I took the old one off I can not find a place where the hose is damaged. WHen the hose was on the car it looked like the watter was cooming form where the hose mates up with the engine. I thought the clamp must have torn the hose.

Do you think my water pump is the problem. If so can the old stead make the trip from Houston to Austin?

 

Water pump would be my guess. There should be a small hole (about the size of a pencil lead) under the water pump where the fan attaches to it. It usually starts leaking here on bad water pumps. No I wouldn't drive it til it's fixed.

 

Did you try tightening the clamp on the old hose first? Some times they loosen up and a small leak will appear causing coolent to run down the hose. Such a leak can be fixed with a screwdriver or nut driver to tighten the clamp. Go ahead and replace the hose sense you have a new one and then take the car for a test spin staying close to home and watching for steam, and over heating. Also make sure you get the motor up to full temperature or else the leak may not present it self. If after bringin it up to temp no leaks apear than it is probably not the pump and you shold have the problem solved. If the leak does return however than it IS the water pump and will need to be replaced before driving it.