Howdy all,

I went into the pole barn today and noticed a drop of fluid under my truck :-(
It got down to 10 degrees last night and the truck was plugged in. I crawled under there and noticed the lower radiator hose was weeping at the lowest point. I checked all connections, clamps, and everywhere else and it was all dry. Could the hose be getting thin and just time to replace it? I read somewhere that plugging it the trucks at low temps may cause this. Ideas?
Thanks!

Semper Fi

 

Not sure but a bump if nothing else- Did you try squeezing the hose in different spots & look for drips ?

 

I squeezed it at different spots to see if it leaked but only AF sloshing around inside the tube. This might be a good time to replace that hose, the thermostat cover (rusted) and flush the system and fill it with Rotella ELC ($14.99 at TSC)..Maybe when it gets warmer though :-)

Semper Fi


2000 F250 SD CC Long Bed 7.3

 

Mine is leaking from the lower cooling hose connection to the pump and it runs down the hose and looks like yours does.

 

Mine also leaked when seasonal temperatures varied. I found the leak where the lower inlet bolts to the water pump. Inlet o-ring part # F81Z-8255-AA. You'll need to drain coolant to clean the area and install. I used a little faucet lube when installing the o-ring.

Good time for the other stuff also, coolant, hoses (around the belt), stat, stat housing. Good luck.

 

Same here. You could rubber band a paper towel around the connection to the pump to be sure. There should be a trail of wet (or clean) leading up to the pump too.

 

The location of the drip and since it started in cold weather makes me think oil cooler. They tend to show their first leaks on a really cold day. If the search for the leak at the other places comes up, uh, dry, check the oil cooler. No oil in the degas bottle, or water on the dipstick?

Replacing the o rings is a chore, but cheap.

 

Look above the hose and see if there's signs of coolant on the front of the motor. The water pump has a weep hole on the bottom side of it that will start to drip a little water when the pump is going out. It has a tendency to drip onto the lower radiator hose before finally dripping onto the ground.

Mine just started doing this too. Looks like I'll be putting in a new water pump this weekend.

Semper Fi.

 

Thanks for all the responses guys! I inspected further and it is dripping from the lower inlet connecting to the water pump. So it looks like I will be buying that gasket and might as well replace a bunch of stuff while I have the coolant drained. I also saw this.. Looks like and old leak from the stat housing..No leaking from the weep hole..I wonder if I should just do the water pump while I am down there. Thanks All!!!

Semper Fi

 

I would replace the water pump while you're at it. I'm getting ready to order some stuff my truck needs.. Fuel pump, inj orings, oil cooler rebuild kit... While I'm at it with the coolant drained I'm definitely replacing the water pump. I'm at 225xxx miles so I would rather do it on my terms. Water pumps are not if.. But when.. Jmho

 

Yeah, kinda bummed. My truck only has 89,450 miles on it!

Semper Fi

 

If you decide to go with the International water pump they are just under $150 shipping included here.
Water Pump - International 444E

You'll need some fittings and hose as well but could upgrade to a filtered system for about $200.

 

My factory water pump lasted 500,310 miles before it started to drip. Sure it's a when not if, but when could still be a long way down the road.

Then again, the wife's went around 170,000 so who knows.

 

Thanks again..Ohh man do not get me started looking at water pumps with filters ;-) It seems like every part I am fixing to get has its own thread(s); whether it be a 204 or 180 degree Thermostat, Billet (claims have been made they do not seal very well) vs OEM (rust easily) Thermostat housing, Cast Iron with filter vs Aluminum OEM water pump..arghghg
My wife is starting to think I am chatting with, "Jake, from State Farm" online LOL

I will definitely go Aluminum for the Stat housing since the one now was OEM and as you can see in the picture is crap.
Now for who has the cheapest overall price including shipping- RiffRaff, DieselOrings or others. Some prices are cheaper for some parts but then kill you on shipping.

Semper Fi

 

That's pretty straight forward if it's the O-Ring. Two bolts.

Now, I rarely, if ever see these leak (O-Ring).

What I have seen is them rusted through. They are a bolt on to the Water Pump, more often than not, they're very difficult to remove from the pump and suffer damage when doing so.

So, if you do decide to get a pump, make certain it comes with the tube or order one with it unless you have a dealership close by and one is in stock when you do the pump.

HOOAH! (That's Army talk Marine).