1998 Dodge Caravan coolet leak

RHART1453

MEMBER
1998 DODGE CARAVAN
3.0L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

Water leak both sides of engine

water coming from manifold area on drivers side running down to transmission and on passenger side can't see were its coming from but water is dripping it appears under water pump area. I am guessing 1 of 3 things
1. O ring
2. Water pump
3. Water pump inlet tube

1. Do I have to take the manifold off and the water pump housing to determine the problem
2. Is there an o ring on both sides of tube
3. How do I remove the tube
4. Is it common to only have to replace the o ring and not the pump

3 Replies

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

Can you get some good quality closeup shots of where the leak is coming from? I can't even begin to wildly guess at what's up with what you've mentioned.

One thing you can do to help narrow down the leak(s) is to pick up a cooling system leak detector kit. The kit consists of a flourescent dye that is added to the coolant and a black light. When the light hits the dye in the air, it gets really bright and leads right back to the leak.

You Caravan is a front wheel drive vehicle. This places the water pump, which mounts to the front of the engine, on the passenger side of the vehicle. At the rear of the engine is a heater bypass hose/tube that should just be clamped to the heater hose.

From the description you've given, it could actually be a head or the intake leaking.

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Tuesday, August 11th, 2015 AT 6:11 PM

RHART1453

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The leak on the drivers side is just under the by pass tube coming out of the manifold and dripping on to the transmission. And directly on the other side(passengers side about samelocation dripping right under the water pump.

Plenty of compression. Starts easy

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Tuesday, August 11th, 2015 AT 6:33 PM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

Ok. For the leak on the rear of the engine, dry the area thoroughly than run the engine for awhile. Run your finger around the areas you think the leak may be coming from. Or, use the leak detector dye.

The leak on the front SOUNDS like it's coming from the water pump. There is nothing replaceable on that part except the part itself. If the pump is leaking, it has to be replaced.

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Wednesday, August 12th, 2015 AT 9:26 AM