Hello gang I have a question for ya. Yesterday while replacing my steering gear unit I noticed coolnt dripping from the the left side( passenger) motor mount area. It wasn't alot as a matter of fact it really didn't make a any significant wet spots on the pavement. I followed it upward aroung the base of the oil pan, it went up some more but i lost it amongst the accessory bracket. Anyone have any ideas of where this is coming from? The radiator was installed brand new a yr ago as was the hoses and thermostat. I do not have an over heating issue. Thanks!

 

Could be from the water pump and just getting pushed back from wind, could be a soft plug, does your truck have a block heater? They're known to leak after a while.

 

Could also be the bypass hose under the AC compressor, but that would probably leak down on the drivers side of the motor. Get a flash light and follow it as best you can. You could also remove the accessory bracket to find out for sure, it's not that hard.

 

No block heater and the water pump came across my mind because on certain mornings during warm up I hear this intermittent "sqeak/chirp" sound then it will go away after a minute or so.

 

I'll look into that hose. I changed it out about a yr ago but who knows it could be it. I guess I have a project this weekend.

 

My timing chain cover was leaking antifreeze on the upper left side, and it would dribble all the way down the front of the motor until it hit the engine oil pan and then it would follow that down the left side until it hit the cover on the front of the tranny.

But yes, it could be the water pump seal, timing chain cover, bypass hose, sensors on the front of the intake etc etc... Good luck with finding it... I am so sick of that smell!

 

I think you hit it with the timing chain cover because looking at it again in the day light it's damp along that seam on the driver's side as well. How hard is it to change out the gasket? Should I go ahead and replace the timing chain since it's off there's 147770 miles on it?

 

I would replace the timing chain. I had to on mine. I mean your there changing the gasket so why not go one step farther. I would at least pick it up at the parts store and if you don't need it then return it. I had to send my dad to get mine over the weekend when i tore down mine. So it could save you a trip.

 

That's cool might as well. how hard was it? do i need anything else or just the timing chain?

 

I am in the process of finishing up my project of replacing my timing chain, water pump, intake pan (went with a Hughes plate/gasket), and modding my throttle body and kegger. It all started with the little coolant leak (and I mean fairly minor - hardly a few drops on the ground) I have been smelling and seeing for the past few months. I figured, what the heck, everything is completly original with 160k miles on it, so why not change it while Im there.

I am pretty much done with everything except getting my intake back on and plugging in all the wires (cause Im waiting on my Hughes plenum cover). It was a pretty straight forward deal... and thats coming from a BIG noob when it comes to motors. Only tool I needed to rent was a 3 jaw puller for the removal of the harmonic balancer.

I say replace the timing chain/gears and water pump while your there... why not? And if you havent already, might as well remove the intake and replace the plenum pan/gasket with a Hughes or APS kit. Cause if yours is stock than Im sure its been leaking for a while.