Hello All,

I've got a '93 with the 4.9L. I noticed the other day a pretty healthy coolant leak. The drips seem to be coming off the hose that goes into the bottom of the radiator. From what I can see, it looks like the actual leak is up where that hose connects to the water pump. So, could the problem be a faulty water pump and/or hose? Should I go ahead and take the water pump off and replace it? If so, is this a tricky job?

I've got the Factory Manuals for the truck, but I just wanted to see what you all thought I should tackle first.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

same thing i always answer to this question:

get the cooling system pressure checked to see where exactly it is leaking.

 

I just fixed mine had the same problem, thought it was the hose, nope.
Had to change the water pump, not hard, or expensive. 40$ from autozone lifetime warranty
just be careful getting the old bolts out
i snapped a couple, and they are not easy to find. had to use torch to heat em up a little and they came right out.

 

Water pumps have a weep hole at the bottom of the neck. it opens when the water pump goess bad. Mine did the same thing, I got all the bolts out but one at the very top center. I just put a bit more silicone there. then filled the bolt hole full of silicone. so far after about 2 1/2 years, it's still holding good.

 

If you're not equipped for a pressure test, as was suggested, look for the "weep hole," described below:

Get a mirror and strong flashlight--they have overgrown "dental mirrors" on collapsable stalks at the parts/tool stores--I find them handy for such things. The weep hole should be drilled into bottom of the area of the pump that supports the main shaft, which is what the fan is hanging on the end of. Hole might be about 1/8" diameter and, if you're lucky, you'll see a drip of coolant hanging off of it.

I've done a water pump on all three of my Big Sixes, over the years--probably the easiest engine to do one on, at least vs. a V-8 (though I've never had the pleasure). On the Big Six, you can look into the engine block, once the pump is removed, and see the rough, outside casting of the cylinder, inside the block, right behind where the pump sits. Kinda cool--but then, I'm easily amused....

Ask what people to seal the gasket to the block with, under the pump--opinions vary--I used this brown, nasty-looking/ smelling "Indian Head Gasket Sealer" stuff, on both sides of the paper gasket, and never had a problem. But then, I also carefully scraped the mating surfaces flat (removing any sealant/corrosion) and then polished up the mating surfaces with some fine sandpaper. YMMV.

Follow your torque specs.

Oh--can't remember, but I probably used Never Seize on the bolts. I try to do that whereever I can on these trucks, as broken bolts suck.

Good luck.