i have a very slight leak, i thought it was the water pump but think it may be the timing chain cover? going to take it apart tomorrow. no water in the oil or anything does anybody think it would seal it up by just putting sealant on the water jacket bolts threads while replacing the water pump and seal it up? or am i going to have to pull the timing chain cover?

2000 3.0 ford ranger xl 4x4

 

Nope. You're gonna have to pull the waterpump and timing chain cover. The gasket for the timing chain cover will be all disintegrated and gone, which you will need to scrape off and replace. I'd recommend doing the waterpump too as the whole process is something you're only going to want to do one time. This is common with the 3.0's and I had to do it on mine.

 

Front Oil Seal, Thermostat, Check the Fan Belt, Hoses, what else is there.

Oil Seal and Thermo are the ones that NEED to be done at the same time.

Change the oil after you are done...

 

change the oil? what does that have to do with antifreeze leaking? cmon.....
i just got done after buying a new water pump and timing chain gaskets........
turns out i just tightened up the bolts around the water pump and the leak quit! i was ready to work on this thing all day but guess i got lucky!
drove it 10 miles plus and looked......no leak.......did it again.....no leak!!! all is good!

 

I'd still change it if you feel up to do the work, especially since you already have the parts. My gasket was pretty much gone on the outer edges of both of the coolant passages, where it is dark colored. Not sure how many miles you have but this was at around 75k

 

Oil chg is just in case !

I am not familiar with the front end of a 3.0L and if it has an opening to the oil pan when you remove the timing chain cover.
If there is then chances are some antifreeze and gasket material will get in there.
Changing the oil is just something that I did after working on the front end of a 5.0L/302/289/V-8.

 

oh im up do doing the work after 30 plus years of doing all my own mechanic work. keeping all my kids rigs running etc. just dont want to work on this little rice burner if i dont have to. i will wait until it actually needs the pump on it.