So I seem to have a leak at my water pump; my truck had previously sat for 3 months or so undriven due to other mechanical problems and think the gasket may have dry rotted. I'm not what you'd call the most experienced mechanic but I've tackled jobs on my own before. I was wondering if you guys think the task is too much to handle, too complicated to get to, etc. I planned on just changing the gasket but should I just go ahead and change the water pump while I'm at it.. Just hate to spend the money if it's not the problem but then again I've been told it's time consuming to get to it so I'd hate to have to go back after changing the gasket.

('98 v8 5.9L)

 

how long has it been running ? you might have a dry rotted shaft seal that MIGHT actually quit leaking on its own if you give it a few days.

you can do it. if you tear it down definitely change the pump. new one is only about $65. i think the hardest part is getting the stupid fan off the wp pulley. on mine i just unbolted the wp with the fan still attached, then i put the wp in the vice.

 

Oh it's been running for more than a few days now. I even tried to put some stop leak in there because it's not that big of a leak spot that it's coming through. It just seems to leak when I get up in the 2 1/2-3k rpm's.

 

since i LOVE to jerry-rig anything that can be rigged - if you can actually see the leak, clean it off real good and put a BIG FAT layer of RTV all over the whole area and let it cure for about 12-24 hours. it might fix it.

 

i dont think the water pump is too big of a job for a novice. use common sence and a good manual and you can do it in a day, takin it easy.

 

you put stop leak in it?!?!? nooooo!!!!!

 

Yeah I was thinking something along the lines of RTV before I actually took a days work out to change the pump.. I guess I'd easier to do that first.