I have a CAD 1992 dodge dakota with the 5.2. We had a particularly cold spell here, down to -45 c. I didn't drive the truck during that time but now that it's warmed up i go to drive it and i notice the front by the crank pulley / water pump is wet with coolant. I imagine in the cold the seal probably leaked.
1. Should i try running to see if its sealed itself again. I doubt it but might be worth the risk
2. Which water pump do i need. I have read a few posts but there does not seem to be any defined rules and i cannot see the water pump all that well. Was going to do pump, lower rad hose, and new belt since mine has cracks.

Any help is appreciated thanks

 

So long as there is some coolant in there, give it a shot, see what happens. Probably gonna have to change the pump though.

Any parts store can sell you the correct pump.

 

I've called every local parts store. No one seems to carry them or be able to order them in from 3rd party. Which is weird cause i thought the 318 was a common engine?

 

It is. Or, rather.... It was..... I think 02, or 03 was the last year for the 5.2..... My local advance has one on the shelf.....

 

Rockauto list 7 different water pumps for a 1992 Dakota 318 .... I live away from town and end up buying a lot of stuff from rockauto and pretty happy with them and the savings.
Sometimes it is cheaper to buy local, simply because shipping cost more then the item.
I do like have the choice to choose what brand I want to purchase, not stuck with the brand the local store sells .... fuel pumps I prefer to spend more for a name brand product in hopes for a longer life span.
While my old Dodge truck, I installed a $35 ACDELCO rebuilt alternator ... ACDELCO because of the quality and cheaper rebuilt for $35 because is cheap and simple to replace later if needed .... having a choice is nice.

 

The differences are who makes 'em, and what they come with. Most are pump and gasket, others also come with the bypass fitting, etc.

 

And that is what is nice about having a choice ... you are free to choose the most expensive option to give you peace of mind that you bought the best.

While it does not always workout that way .... you can feel confident you did your best.

 

I am loosing that battle, Put another one in two January's ago and it's leaking again. The best one i could find locally. Bought a GMB from RA but didn't put it in yet. Choosing the "best" is hard to do because none of the manufactures tell you what's in the pump. Shaft size, bearing type seal type etc. It's more like gambling and hope the dice fall the right way. The GMB seemed to be the best one but another two years i will know(when i replace it). So far a Bosch lasted the longest(5 years) but i don't think they make it any more(I looked). The GNB 1203041P should fit all the V6/8 magnum motors up till 98. They changed the # in 98 but have not figured out if anything actually changed.

 

Given the way companies have been merging, or being bought out, its a real mystery who actually makes the parts various folks sell...... Putting a 'good' name on crappy parts is not unusual these days.