Ok, I was thinking that my water pump was going out or the gasket was bad b/c I have to add a little coolent to the tank about every 2 months. I was looking under my truck today b/c i've found the place that it's leaking from which is the bottom of the water pump. But when I looked closer there is the water pump, some kind of 1.5 in. "bracket", then the engine it self. And It looks like its leaking between the engine and the "bracket" not the water pump itself. I made sure the bolts were tight a few weeks ago and they were...

Anyone know what is leaking? Here is a picture.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/fx2offro...in/water_pump?

 

Any body know?

 

There's a "weep hole" under the pump where water that leaks past the shaft seal can drain out. Pretty common spot. Maybe it's getting over there somehow. I can't tell enough from the pics to figure it, sorry.

It shouldn't be able to leak behind the timing cover so I can't imagine it coming from there unless the leak is a head gasket and it's dripping down behind the cover.

 

That's what i'm worried about..is a bad head gasket......It's been losing coolant since I bought it in 2004. Wouldn't the water pump have gone out by now? I've put 52k on it since I bought it. I've checked the weep holes and they are dry when the engine is cold, warm, and at normal temp.

 

It sounds to me like you'd better check it out further. I can't rule out a bad gasket. If it was leaking between the timing cover and pump, that would be a different thing. But where it's coming from would make me take it and get someone with experience to look at it I think.

 

I believe the three bolts in your picture thread directly into the block coolant passage as Ford recommends putting pipe sealant on the threads prior to installing. From your picture it could be the top bolt (next to the crank position sensor connector) that is leaking. You could try removing the bolt and liberally coating some red RTV or teflon pipe sealant (not tape) on the threads and reinstalling it. You will have to drain the cooling system first or you'll have coolant coming out the bolt hole.

 

The bolt that I have the text "water pump and gasket" kind of pointing too?

I got the haynes repair manual and it doesn't say anything about the bolts threding into the coolant passage just that 3 of them help hold the timing belt cover in place. But that is a good idea. Thanks

 

Yes...However, the only way to be sure is to have the cooling system pressure tested.

 

Well it's cost me 1200 dollors to get it fixed. It was something like the timing chain seal or something..and they have to drop the oil pan, the tranny, and pull the engine out

 

are you serious because i have been over heating and going threw coolant like crazy this week. but no coolant in the oil or white exhaust smoke.

 

I am on my 3rd water pump!

 

Yeah but i wasn't over heating or anything. I had to add about an inch or two about every month to the coolant tank.

If you lossing collant fast your water pump is probley bad and when it overheats coolant comes out of the pressure cap on the radiator.

 

I had this happen to me. Saw a little coolant, no big deal, replaced the water pump. A week later, had it in for an oil change and had the timing chain cover gasket replaced. $1200 sounds about right to do it too.

 

Yeah it about killed me when I found out it was going to be $1200. But hey I've owned it for 4 years and it was only 1.5 years old when i got it and this is the first thing that has really gone wrong, so i'm not complaining yet!

HAHAHA

 

Yep, the timing chain gasket leaking is common with the 3.0L's. Mine has a leak as well, just don't feel like dropping $1000 right now to get it replaced. It's gotten better, less coolant leeks out and my reservoir and radiator seem to be keeping the same fluid level as per my weekly checks.

 

The mechanic was in there to fix an oil pan gasket leak (another $1000 fix) and said that the coolant leak was more important... YAY! Luckily, while in there, he hit it up with RTV sealant and bought me some time. I had only had my truck about 18 months when this all went down. I had already down a bunch of other stuff including 2 fuel injectors.

 

WOW, I didn't know that this was such a common problem.

It really didn't "HAVE" to be done when I did it, but when your going to go to michigan, and colorado this summer leaving from Oklahoma I wanted to know that i was going to not have any problems....