What are the odds?

[ArmyGuy45]

That my lower radiator hose has a pin hole leak near the connection of the water pump vs the water pump itself?


This last oil change I noticed a very small drip coming from that area. It also seems that my rear main seal is starting to go.

[XJ Wheeler]

Pinhole seems unlikely. Maybe a crack in the hose, or coolant seeping out the end of the connection. But yes the water can leak out of the weep hole. And it does require replacement. Probably need to get up under there and investigate. Maybe even while its running because the heat can dry the liquid quick enough to disappear once shut off.

[saar]

Try to look at it while someone is pressing the throttle (transmission on "N" position : )
You might see where it is from, maybe the clamp band cut the hose.
I would replace the hose ASAP.

[ArmyGuy45]

So its really hard to tell but it could be coming water pump near the connection of the lower radiator hose connection. If it is the water pump seal, would you guys just replace the water pump since I have to remove it to reseal it?

[bigjim350]

Its most likely coming from one of the weep holes on the waterpump. If it were me I'd just replace the waterpump and lower hose.

[ArmyGuy45]

Its most likely coming from one of the weep holes on the waterpump. If it were me I'd just replace the waterpump and lower hose.

Sounds like a plan. Thanks for the advice.

[ArmyGuy45]

So the Autozone guy said to replace the fan clutch with the water pump since you are "right there." Would you guys replace the lower radiator hose, water pump, water pump gasket, thermo and serp belt while I am there?

[4.3LXJ]

If you want to be preventative, yes. Those are all parts that will go sooner or later

[XJ Wheeler]

Yep, I would. Keep the old belt in the back for a spare. Also, if your inlet tube is rusty I would replace that as well. Its the tube that screws into the top of the pump and attaches to one of the heater hoses. Cheap insurance.

[prerunner1982]

Just did a water pump replacement Wednesday... took almost as long to clean the mating area of the old gasket than it did to replace the pump.

[ArmyGuy45]

^ With that in mind, do you only put RTV on the non block side of the pump? This would mean that only the gasket touches the block but I have been told this makes an easy clean up.

[prerunner1982]

I put it on both sides. Would rather make sure I have a good seal than taking a bit to clean up every how many years between pump changes.

[XJ Wheeler]

I put it on both sides. Would rather make sure I have a good seal than taking a bit to clean up every how many years between pump changes.

X2^^^

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