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lower radiator hose connects to a small pipe on the waterpumphousing
Hello everyone,
I own a 1980 Oldsmobile Omega with the 2.8L V6 engine. The lower radiator hose connects to a small pipe on the water pump housing. Unfortunately, about 25% of that pipe has rusted away.
My question is:
Is this pipe a separate, removable fitting that can be unscrewed from the water pump housing?
Or does the entire water pump housing need to be replaced?
Or is the housing permanently cast into the engine block itself?
I’ve cleaned the area thoroughly, but I can’t see how the pipe is attached. I also checked the Chilton’s Repair Manual, but it doesn’t provide any detail on this specific connection.
Has anyone dealt with this issue before on the 2.8L V6? Any advice on whether the pipe can be replaced individually, or if I’m looking at a full water pump replacement, would be greatly appreciated.
I owned two 2.8 V6 powered cars plus my parents owned one and worked on multiple cars in the shop, never saw a water pump need replacement. I look on Rock Auto, it does appear to be a thread in pipe. You will probably need to buy a new water pump to get one and quite honestly the water pump may be ready to go anyway. The pipe maybe be seized and fight coming out. What does the coolant look like?
Thanks for your answer.
The coolant looks like rusty water—and tastes awful (LOWER radiator hose ).
But when I check RockAuto or eBay for a replacement water pump, I don’t see that small pipe included.
It’s located on the lower part of the engine block, just about a centimeter next to where the water pump bolts on.
Also, my water pump looks fairly new, so I suspect it was replaced recently.
Thank you for your help. However, this is not what I meant. Maybe I explained it incorrectly.
The image you sent shows the water pump housing and the water pump itself. The small pipe visible in the image (green arrow) is located at the top, and the hose connected to it goes to the cabin and provides heat for the heater.
The rusty pipe I’m referring to is located at the bottom, right next to where the water pump housing connects to the engine block (red arrow). If you were to remove the water pump, you would be looking straight into the opening of the rusty pipe from above.
I truly appreciate your help.
But the question still stands: is the part where the red arrow points to, removable? Or is it part of the engine, and if so, is that rusted pipe removable?
Last edited by TonA; Nov 9, 2025 at 11:35 AM.
Reason: not complete
Yes! That's the one!
So we are talking about the cover and not the waterpump?
The thing where the red arrow is pointing at?
Do you have any idea where to find this cover.
I did look at Rockauto and Ebay, but did not see anything.
Maybe i did not fill in the search correct.
Yes! That's the one!
So we are talking about the cover and not the waterpump?
The thing where the red arrow is pointing at?
Do you have any idea where to find this cover.
I did look at Rockauto and Ebay, but did not see anything.
Maybe i did not fill in the search correct.
I wonder if there are differences between fwd and rwd covers and water pumps? Strange there are two different 2.8 V6 as options. Pretty sure all were the Varijet 2 bbl, very similar to a Qjet cut in half. Our 84 Buick Century and 82 Chebby Citation were basically identical from I could tell, engine wise. Did plenty of work on both but nothing cooling system related.
I knew this wasn’t going to be a simple job.
The rusty pipe has an inner diameter of 1.26 inches (32 mm), with about 20% of the material corroded away. The remaining section is still solid and provides enough grip.
I bought a stainless steel tube with an outer diameter of 1.26 inches and cut off a piece measuring 1.57 inches (40 mm).
After thoroughly cleaning and degreasing, I coated the new piece with JB-Weld Original Liquid Steel and carefully tapped it into place using a wooden block and a hammer.
After 24 hours it should be firmly set.
Tomorrow I’ll seal the outside with heat-resistant silicone and clamp the hose back on.
The only thing is that the inner diameter is a few mm less.
Hopefully this will hold; if not, I’ll have to look for a replacement Timing Cover.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who contributed ideas and advice!
).
