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Can’t find antifreeze leak

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Old Sep 9, 2018 | 08:59 AM
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Default Can’t find antifreeze leak

Hello to all. I have a 1999 doge ram 1500 4x4 5.9L. I noticed antifreeze leaking the other day because it started to overheat. I can not pin point the leak because I can’t see underneath the water pump. I don’t want to start replacing things if it’s not what it is. Any ideas would be great and thank you in advance.
 
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Old Sep 9, 2018 | 09:28 AM
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Only indicator to the leak is that drop of coolant on damper? Anything above the waterpump?
 
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Old Sep 9, 2018 | 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by HeikIlm
Only indicator to the leak is that drop of coolant on damper? Anything above the waterpump?
nothing on top of waterpump. But leaking a drop from the damper about every 2-3 seconds
 
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Old Sep 9, 2018 | 09:50 AM
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Time to start pulling stuff out of the way, to find the leak. Might be the pump, might be the bypass hose that goes from the pump, to the intake.
 
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Old Sep 9, 2018 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by HeyYou
Time to start pulling stuff out of the way, to find the leak. Might be the pump, might be the bypass hose that goes from the pump, to the intake.
good deal. I’ll start this afternoon on getting stuff out of he way so I can see between the damper and the pum. Thanks
 
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Old Sep 9, 2018 | 10:01 AM
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Mechanics mirror, and a bright flashlight might work too.
 
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Old Sep 9, 2018 | 11:35 AM
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I'm placing my bet on the water pump/bypass hose, especially if they haven't been changed in a while... Could also be the front cover gasket, too.
 

Last edited by AtomicDog; Sep 9, 2018 at 12:44 PM.
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Old Sep 9, 2018 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by AtomicDog
I'm placing my bet on the water pump/bypass hose, especially if they haven't been changed in a while... Could also be the front cover gasket, too.
well at first I still couldn’t find it. I guess it quit. So I fired it up and let it run for a few. Turned it off and antifreeze just came pouring out the bottom. Climbed underneath and def seen where it’s comimg from. The pump is either cracked or it’s comimg out the weep hole profusely.
 
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Old Sep 9, 2018 | 03:12 PM
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Might wanna consider doing the timing chain and gears while you are doing the water pump.
 
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Old Sep 9, 2018 | 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by studders


well at first I still couldn’t find it. I guess it quit. So I fired it up and let it run for a few. Turned it off and antifreeze just came pouring out the bottom. Climbed underneath and def seen where it’s comimg from. The pump is either cracked or it’s comimg out the weep hole profusely.
Not uncommon for the pump to leak profusely, especially if the water pump bearing has some play in it. Like was mentioned, sounds like its time for a double roller timing chain and gear set, along with a new front cover gasket, too.
 
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