So I have been too busy at work to deal with an ongoing problem. My water pump was leaking coolant (slowly) out of one of the bolts, after the engine was turned off. I kept on top of the coolant levels in both the radiator and the overflow tank. I have been dealing with this for about three months...until yesterday.
Yesterday I checked the levels in the morning, as usual, and everything was good. I warmed the truck up to optimal operating temperature and left the house. The heat was pumping cold air. I immediately returned home (as this was the first sign I saw when I originally relized I was loosing coolant).
I checked the overflow tank (because the rad was hot) and the overflow was filled to the top of the tank but not overflowing, but way higher than usual for my engine when hot after driving.
I immediately shut the engine down and heard a hissing like a tea kettle coming from somewhere near the thermostat housing, but to be honest I couldn't see anything coming out.
Today I bought a new water pump, thermostat, and fan clutch (i don't know why).
Any thoughts of where the leak could be coming from? I am going to replace the parts that I purchased, but wondering if anyone had any other ideas or tests I could do so that I can do everything at once.
Thanks in advance and I am standing by my computer if anyone has any questions for me.
2000 Dodge Ram V8 5.2L 4x4

 

Is the truck getting up to about 195 degrees? If your t stat is stuck open then you'll get cold air and underheating of the engine/slow warm up. As for the overflow res. is it above the full mark? You probably just overfilled it. Not sure about the hissing...does it also hiss when at idle? If it's also at idle, check for vacuum leaks. Also just read if u had the a/c running, it can hiss after shutdown-I don't use a/c so idk. When u do the waterpump, change the timing cover gasket and the by-pass hose that goes to the water pump and obviously bleed all the air out.

 

The truck is getting to operating temp but it is taking longer than usual...although it is winter now and I cant remember last winter.
The hissing is more than a hiss, steam is coming out like a tea kettle.
I have never used the AC.

Does the timing cover contain coolant? Just interested why you suggest changing that gasket as well. Also, is it a pain to get to and do that job? I am no mechanic but willing to try as long as special tools aren't needed.

Thanks for the reply.

 

Go to the FAQ/DIY section and download the free 2001 service manual. also get a Haynes manual. Read about the procedure in both of them to see if you have the tools and are comfortable with performing said procedure(s).

 

Coolant goes through the timing cover housing, so you might want to pick up a gasket for that at the same time. And depending on how many miles on the truck...you may want to replace timing set while you are that deep.

 

Thanks guys!

I have the manual and looked at the procedure and it looks a little overwhelming as I live on an island so parts/tools are hard to come by and I don't have a garage to keep everything neatly organized and it is 30degrees outside.
After looking at the manual, I now understand where the timing cover is, so I am going to see if I can pinpoint the leak to the cover before I go an reinstall that gasket. I have done two waterpumps (actually the same one in two consecutive days) and the thermostat doesn't look that bad to do. The timing cover looks like alot of stuff to remove to get to it.
I do have another question, would you flush the system before you remove everything or after? Or at some point in the middle? I am now thinking, from some online research that I could have a plugged heater core as well.
Truck has 80k miles. I have owned it for 3k of those 80k.

 

Flush before so the system will be clean when you finish and refill.

 

So this morning I got the fan and shroud out of the engine compartment to get a better look around the water pump. I think I found where the new leak is coming from. There are cracks in the hose coming directly out of the top of the pump back into the engine maybe 1.5" diameter (pump outlet?).
Obviously this hose is going to need to be replaced, but I don't know what hose it is to even search this site.
If somebody could give me some insite that would be great. I am armed with a manual and the internet. I have a feeling this one is going to be a major pain, being that I can't even see the other end of the hose.

Thanks in advance!

 

So I have caught a snag in my investigation. I am trying to remove the a/c compressor and it is loose but I cannot loosen the nut that holds the support for the a/c lines. Is there a trick to this nut.
I'm about ready for a beer....as it is my birthday and wish I wasn't cursing so much!

 

That's the engine coolant by pass hose that i told u to get along with the timing cover gasket. they're both prone to leaking. I got mine from RockAuto.com, i think $6 shipped...advance auto or autozone should have them too. As for the a/c line support, I don't remember how it came off but I just threw mine away, its a pain and not needed. If u can just break it off somehow just do that.