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Water pump leak?

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Old 01-26-2012, 07:58 PM
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Default Water pump leak?

After a quick trip down the freeway, i got home and parked. After a few minuets i noticed a pool of coolant under the front of the engine. It appears it looks like it coming from where the fan meets the water pump. Is that possible? If not where else could it be coming from?
 
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Old 01-26-2012, 08:03 PM
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There's a weep hole under there, probably hidden by the pulley. Open the hood, and see if you have a spray pattern along the underside of the hood, if you do, time for a new water pump. Good time to do timing chain and gears too. It's only like six more bolts to take the cover off, and there they are. Cover likes to develop leaks too.... and disturbing the gasket by, say... taking of the water pump, and loosening all the bolt that hold it in place, makes it a good idea to reseal the damn thing even if you DON'T change the timing set.....

If your truck has over 100K miles, and the timing set hasn't been replaced, it's time.
 
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Old 01-26-2012, 09:19 PM
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totally possible to be leaking water there, could also be the small bypass hose above the water pump.
 
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Old 01-26-2012, 10:43 PM
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Yep. Water pump, water pump bypass hose, and timing cover. All three of the usual suspects. One more possibility is the t stat housing.

And +1 on replacing the timing set while you are there. Never going to be easier or cheaper than when replacing the pump. Do it all at once, and use a double roller chain for best results.

I's also recommend checking plenum as well, not much further to have to dig down if it needs attention.
 
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Old 01-26-2012, 10:59 PM
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How often does the chain give up? I know on most import trucks you want to replace them after 100K. But domestics should last a lot longer don't they?
 
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Old 01-26-2012, 11:02 PM
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The distance from cam to crank on the magnum motors is pretty long..... longer than just about any other motor I have seen. (aside from overhead cam engines......) the stock is a morse style chain, that is, unfortunately, prone to stretching. The double roller fellers not nearly so much so.
 
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Old 01-27-2012, 03:21 PM
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Once the waterpump starts leaking from the weep hole, its best to replace it ASAP. The internal seal is failing--dont wait until it siezes. It will take a few more hours, but swap out that timing cover gasket, chain, sprockets and what the hell,might as well do the thermostat and that 3" 45 degree bend water pump return line. All for less than $150
 
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Old 01-29-2012, 12:54 AM
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Ya the bearing on the shaft that the fan screws onto failed.
 



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