Good afternoon gentlemen,

I just picked up this pretty nice 01 Ram 2500 1 owner truck with 175k miles and the only issue I see on it is it has started leaking coolant pretty bad from around the water pump (constant drip), I will provide a picture below. I know the water pump could be an issue on these trucks but i’m essentially just hoping that it’s not the block,
would anyone happen to know? Thanks in advance!

Front front passenger side, looking towards the back of the truck.

Front front passenger side, looking towards the back of the truck. (Zoomed out)

 

There is a couple gaskets there, water pump, and timing cover. On my 96, the timing cover sprung a leak..... There is also the bypass hose from the water pump, to the intake, which you can't see without some disassembly..... that can crack, and start leaking.

 

Thanks, i’ll take a look at those.

 

Disregard.

 

Issue with the 53 block was it cracking between the cylinder 3 and 4 freeze plugs, so it's safe to say that it's either waterpump o-ring, or more likely leak is coming from the weep hole. New pump and you're good to go. Most simple pump ever to replace, drain coolant, remove belt and two bolts, and pull the pump.

 

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

 

Would you be in reference to a gas motor? the Cummins should not have coolant in the timing case at all, ever.

In regards to the issue it seems you have been directed to the only possibly solutions, probably a water pump failing out the weep hole

 

Yep. I was thinkin' gas motor.

 

Yeah I didn't reply because that's obviously a CTD with the a/c compressor down low. In 320k the only leaks we've ever had on our '02 has been the wp and the radiator. So I'd guess wp.