2000 4.0L V6 XLT

The truck is leaking coolant now. I’m not exactly sure where it’s coming from.

I thought it would be the radiator but I don’t think that’s it. It seems to be originating from an area right next to the water pump.

Here is a couple pictures of where I think it’s coming from. This is taken from beneath the truck and looking up. I circled the same bolt in both photos in magenta for helping with orientation between the two pictures.





I’ve only just noticed this and haven’t had the time to really investigate it. I just wanted to see if anyone knew what the problem was or had experience with this.

Thank you for reading
Jackson

 

No, nothing common

Pinholes in radiator hoses often spray fluid out onto odd places where coolant shouldn't be, lol
After engine is warmed up fully, shut it off, like after getting home from work
Run you hand near hot hoses to feel any hot coolant coming out, you can NOT see it, just feel it

Best way to find coolant leaks is to get/rent a Cooling system pressure test kit
It is a radiator cap with a pressure gauge and hand pump attached
On a COLD engine you install the rad cap and pump pressure up to 20psi(cooling systems run at 16psi after full warm up)
Then watch for the leak
Coolant leaks in warm engine areas often evaporate before the source can be found
With cold engine you can locate the source much easier

You can also add UV Dye to coolant, then follow the trail back to the leak

 

Okay thanks for this tip. I'll try this. Maybe it's coming from that tube in the first picture and spraying in the wet area. Appreciate the help!

 

I think I may have found the problem…


The coolant leak had stopped for the past two weeks. And I just did a routine oil change and found this on the plug. Doesn’t look good

 

MilkShake, not good.

 

This problem still lives because I haven't done done anything to fix it yet. After seeing the "milk shake" on the oil plug, I suspected it was related to my coolant loss but I don't think this is the case. I haven't spotted water in my oil since that last picture in February. However, the coolant leaking has gotten worse and now I'm finding big puddles on the ground dripping from the timing cover/water pump area.

So I suspect my problem is the timing cover gasket has failed. Probably got too hot at a moment in time or maybe its just that it's old? Not for sure.

Thinking about having a local mechanic look at it and fix it so I don't have to deal with replacing everything that needs to be.

 

Finally getting this problem serviced. The problem is confirmed to be the timing cover gasket. Mechanic quoted me 8 hours of labor and about $1100. They're replacing the serpentine belt and water pump as well.

Final edit: Job is done and grand total was $1200.