Coolant leak

[puddlesurfer]

I've got a coolant leak on my truck and I think it may be coming from the water pump - It's dripping from the bottom pulley on the engine. I can't see anywhere else it could be coming as i'm sure its leaking behind the cambelt cover, The pipes that cross the engine above the waterpump are fine.

Does this mean the cambelt has to come off?

The waterpump is only a couple of months old is it likely to have failed?

Is there a block plug in this area that could be leaking?

Should I start panicing?

[Sancho]

I've got a coolant leak on my truck and I think it may be coming from the water pump - It's dripping from the bottom pulley on the engine. I can't see anywhere else it could be coming as i'm sure its leaking behind the cambelt cover, The pipes that cross the engine above the waterpump are fine.

Does this mean the cambelt has to come off?

The waterpump is only a couple of months old is it likely to have failed?

Is there a block plug in this area that could be leaking?

Should I start panicing?

I wouldn't bother panicking. All the exciting coolant problems are at the top.

Pump would be my starting point - more likely to be poor fitting that the pump itself. If it was done by a garage, take it back and ask them to have a look. If you did it, time to get your tools out....

[shokenore]

Not saying you shouldnt panic but.... I had a similar "leak" from the bottom pulley area in the end it was found to be the hoses around the top end heater hoses the only way I found it was by removing the pressure cap and using a push bike pump to slowly and carefully increase the pressure .I found the hoses weeping out ...new jubilee clips and hey presto no leaks
good luck btw

[puddlesurfer]

When I got all the belts and pulleys off it definately looked like the waterpump - I blame TonyN he fitted it! (I'm after a bumper discount)

I took it back to KS International (where I bought it from) and they exchanged it even though I didn't have a reciept.

So a new pump is on - I'll give it a run tomorrow and check it out but I'm pretty sure that was where it was leaking from.

[Sancho]

I blame TonyN he fitted it! (I'm after a bumper discount)

Well, erm, in that case, it must have been the pump.

[madmanc]

Ha haaaaaaaa

I have had a water leak for sometime now and have'nt got round to taking the plunge and finding out what it was till recently...

Thanks to Jotto and TonyN for some Phone guidance I am taking the Cheap option and have bought a water pump that i will be fitting this weekend as long as the weather holds. Still need to test the water for Hydocarbons but i thought that taking the cheaper option would be a place to start.

I spent some months trying to figure out it was then removed the Bash plate and I have water dripping from the Bottom pully and its getting worse so Fingers crossed its Water pump and nothing else, other wise i will not be going to Avalanch this year as the truck will need far to much doing to it for MOT and general upkeep.

[puddlesurfer]

It's ot particularly hard job to do the waterpump, just takes hours because there is so much to come off - when was you cambelt changed last? If it's due one soon It might be an idea to do it at the same time as you have to strip all the belts, pulleys, cam cover etc to get to it (Assuming it's the same for the 3.0 as the 2.4)

[madmanc]

Cambelt has been done in the last few thousand miles by jotto. TonyN says It's an easier job on the 3.0 than the 2.4. Fingers crossed it is.

[Wolfracer]

I think I have the same type of leak.
I'm losing a small amount of coolant, generally, when the engine is cold and I stop the engine after a short run.
Today, I half filled the expansion tank, took it for a quick drive and then watched as it dripped out at a fair old rate. its dripping off the bottom pulley.
However,
I opened the rad cap, to have a nose inside, then replaced it - it seems the pressure equalisation (or admittance of air) allowed a lot more coolant to flood out.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?

List of stuff to do is slowly getting bigger...

[red barron]

coolant loss

you seem to have from your description the symptoms of a defective water pump, you will find it leaking from the underside of the pump shaft where the fan and pulley bolts to the pump. I cant remember off hand for this pump but some water pumps have a small hole in the pump casting under the shaft where it will leak water letting you know that the gland seal is leaking, hence your water loss. By taking the radiator cap off this will increase the amount of water leaking from the pump just like you described.
A very strait forward job to do, remove the shroud from the rad and slacken off the alternator belts, remove them and undo the 4 nuts fixing the fan and pulley to the pump shaft. You can now get to the the nuts/bolts that hold the pump to the block undo those and remove the pump. Re-fit in the same way, making sure you thoroughly clean all the mating surfaces before fitting the new pump and gasket, i find using blue hylomar sealant helps to keep the gasket in place when you re-fit the pump to the block. Dont forget flush and re-fill with 5ltrs 50/50 mix of new anti-freeze, Sorted! Just to point out, if you have air con then there may be another belt to remove my experience is based on my non aircon 4runner KZN130.

[Overland Tonka]

Gasket on the water pump? Don't remember fitting that?

[Wolfracer]

Thanks Redbarron,

So is it just a case of getting a new one from Roughtrax then? I'm assuming from the responses you don't repair the pumps then?

[Overland Tonka]

Thanks Redbarron,

So is it just a case of getting a new one from Roughtrax then? I'm assuming from the responses you don't repair the pumps then?

No repair...it's quite a basic thing.

[Wolfracer]

No repair...it's quite a basic thing.

Ta.

[red barron]

water pump

Hi woolfracer, no repairable parts on most water pumps all sealed units. I fitted the roughtrax pump when i changed the cylinder head some 4 years ago and no issues. The gasket comes with the pump.