97 Dakota 2wd, v6........

Started to overheat a couple weeks ago. Pulled over, shut it down and popped the hood. Steam was comming out and you could hear a whistling, almost like a steam engine. It seemed to be almost out of water so I let it cool down, added water and drove home making to watch the temp......Once I was home, water was comming out pretty good.

Okay, so I figured no brainer, must be the water pump.....went through the process (not fun) of changing the water pump and guess what.....As soon as I started adding 50/50....the water started to run out again. I crawled under to try to see where it is comming from and it seems to be comming from above the water pump, but back behind it. I cannot see exactly where it is leaking from and I am not sure what is back there. Checked oil and it seems normal (due for a change).

Where could the water (leak) be comming out?

 

Did you check to make sure all the hoses are good? If not, I'd check there first.

 

Hoses, timing chain cover (cracked or gasket), freeze plug.

 

Fixed.......after everything, it was a pencil size hole in the bypass hose. When I changed the water pump, I checked it but obviously not enough. The hole was in the underside of the hose. If you've changed one, you know what a task it is......

For anyone needing help: remove fan and housing, remove water pump, remove alternator, unbolt and move the a/c compressor out of the way. You will be able to access the clamp from here but if your is anything like mine......you'll need to remove the 4-5 bolts from the bracket that hold the alternator and other items........Now you can access the $4.99 hose that has caused you over 4 hours of work.......

Like any other first time repair....I could probably to it again in less than 1 1/2 tops.......

Thanks for the ideas and luckily it was nothing more serious.....

 

replacing that during a W/P is an automatic