Leaking water around the water pump

Tiny
MARK KOON
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
  • 5.0L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 214,000 MILES
I can't find the leak. It's somewhere around the top right side of the water pump. I'm not sure if I need to change the pump or the timing chain cover gaskets or both. When the radiator is full and thermostat is open I have no overheating issues and the heater works wonderfully. But the water gets low from the leak and I know it's time to add water when the heater quits working and the temperature gauge goes up. That's the best I can describe it.
Thursday, January 30th, 2020 AT 8:09 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
Most common leaks on these vehicles are from the thermostat housing and bypass hoses, which can make coolant run down the right side of the front cover. The water pump is my next suspect and can leak either from the weep hole or the gasket itself, but the front cover is definitely a possibility with this kind of age and mileage. A pressure test with a full cooling system is the best way to find these leaks. here is a guide that can help, and I've also attached a few pictures:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test
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Thursday, January 30th, 2020 AT 10:28 AM
Tiny
MARK KOON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you so much. I know now that its the gasket on the drivers side of the water pump. Water just pours out at idle when first started but seems to stop as the engine heats up and traveling at freeway speed. At least as long as I keep a close eye on the water level and carry 3 or 4 gallons of water with me I think I can continue to drive until I can get it fixed. Thanks again I'm going to keep this site in my phone!
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Thursday, January 30th, 2020 AT 4:04 PM
Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
You're very welcome! Yes keep us in your pocket!
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Friday, January 31st, 2020 AT 7:10 AM
Tiny
MARK KOON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Well I changed water pump, gasket, ther
mostat and gasket, installed new bypass hose started the truck and was leaking in the same place. Although it has stopped now and everything is running normally. Could it be the timing chain cover gasket behind the water pump that is leaking?
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Sunday, February 9th, 2020 AT 4:21 PM
Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
Yes, I would have done the same thing to my vehicle though so you're not in the wrong by replacing it first. But if you have access to a pressure tester I would do a pressure test cold to verify that it is the cover.
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Monday, February 10th, 2020 AT 9:37 AM
Tiny
MARK KOON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Well, I'm not sure what happened but about an hour after I emailed that question to you it stopped and after a 30 mile drive this morning it still isn't leaking. Thanks for your response.
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Monday, February 10th, 2020 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
Good deal! Just keep an eye on it!
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Monday, February 10th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM

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