Coolant Leak - Help Diagnose

[JKohler]

Just when I had almost everything fixed... I heard/felt a clunk in the front end and when I pulled away I saw fluid in my parking spot. I circled around and parked - it was coolant. While the truck was still running I popped the hood and got under it to see if it was just a hose. I checked the upper hoses, they looked fine but I couldn’t really see the lower hose as there is a scuff plate in the way. It looked like it was leaking around the front edge of the oil pan (behind the lower pulley), and later I realized that the water pump is right there? Anyone run into this same issue? I am thinking that the water pump is bad but I will check the bottom hose and other "easy to leak" spots first. Could the thermostat cause this problem? I was thinking that if it got stuck closed then the pressure would build and push pass the gasket... Thoughts? I would really rather not have to do a water pump unless that is in fact the problem. Is the water pump super hard to change out?


I know that’s a lot of questions but I get spooked when there is
coolant leaking from places other than hoses. I am worried coolant got into the oil pan and is now in the block. I will pull the dip stick and also drain the oil to confirm that when I have time.

Thoughts? - Comments would be very much appreciated...

Jason

 

[John McVicker]

Jason,

From what you say (and don't say, ie wasn't overheating) I would doubt you have coolent in the oil. But of course pull the dipstick & look.

Don't get too worried yet. Remove your skid plate & take a look at the bottom hoses. Chances are it's nothing more than a loose hose clamp. Check this out & get back to us.

John

 

[CTFJ]

Pressure test it. The kits have all sort of radiator cap types, pump it up to 25 psi and look for leaks. I even let it sit overnight at pressure to see if I get any drop. I occasionally use UV coolant dye to find a leak, too. Better than chasing ghosts...

 

[JKohler]

It definitely was not over heating or smoking or anything like that. There was just coolant coming out from where the oil pan in the front meets up with the water pump. I will remove the skid plate and check all hoses and pressure test it and get back to you.

Thanks

 

[IH8Wood]

The "heard/felt a clunk in the front end" makes me a little nervous. When the water pump shaft separates from the housing, radiator carnage ensues.

 

[JKohler]

Are you saying that the rod in the water pump seperated from the housing and that this could have a lot of end to end play and thus ramming the fan into the radiator? I will be careful starting it to pull into the garage to diagnose. Does this happen?

 

[2mbb]

There is a weep hole in the water pump housing below where the shaft comes through. When fluid is leaking from here it means that your water pump seal is going. You can't really see the leak from up top, and it's difficult to see from below, because the crank pulley is in the way. However, if this were leaking, it would drop onto the crank pulley and make it look like that were leaking.

 

[JKohler]

Thanks! I will get to cleaning, and diagnosing in the next few days. My current chores dont include Cruiser work :-(

If it is the water pump is this a difficult change comparred to doing the cylinder head on a 2F?????

Thanks

 

[forestdan7]

Never done a cylinder head, but I bet it's a lot tougher than changing out the water pump. Worst part is getting enough room to work without taking out the radiator. Or you could just take out the radiator, too.

Get an OEM water pump (or NAPA, just don't go cheap), and while you're at it, do the thermostat (don't forget gaskets and O ring), and the fan clutch. All are reasonable from Cruiser Dan or others.

Lots of folks will say to cut the fan shroud to make access easier. You can do that. But you don't have to.

 

[Drunken Ira Hayes]

Thermostat housing gaskets often leak and allow coolant to find its way down to the water pump on these 2Fs. Water pump remove/replace is far less involved than pulling the head, especially if your smog components are intact.