I noticed that when I park my '85 F150 after a drive, the next day I find about 5 tablespoons of antifreeze underneath.

I looked under the truck, and the only place I can see where it is coming rom is a slight trickle down the lower radiator hose. I tightened that hose, but it is still there. Not much at all leaks out, but it is there, and I would like to find out where it is coming from.

How can I check the water pump? I hear there is some sort of a "weep hole," but I can't seem to find it. Can somebody please tell me how I can find out if my water pump is going bad?

 

You are correct. There should be a weep hole on the underside of the pump under where the pulley shaft enters the pump housing. Theoretically, if the pump is bad then there will be a slight seepage out of that hole.

 

If you are leaking coolant and suspect the water pump, you'll have to get in there with a small mirror and a work light and inspect the bottom of the pump housing, looking for signs of leakage. You could have a small hole in your radiatior hose (is the hose old?).

To check coolant circulation (not likely the problem if your engine is not severely overheating) warm the engine up and turn the heater on full blast. If the air from the heater does not feel as warm as it should, then you've got a circulation issue and the water pump is a likely suspect (might also be a thermostat, air in the system, or debris).

 

That weep hole is hard to see. But I bet it is the waterpump leaking.

 

The radiator hose is brand new, and the radiator is also brand new. The water pump was installed in 1995. The heater works fine.

I still don't know where the weep hole is.

 

with motor off look from under truck look up at water pump there will be a 1/4" or so "weep" hole . If bad will have a mark/line were antifreeze has been running down from it. Check you clamps at same time they can loosen up when new. Good luck

 

Thats how my 83 was. I used a Qtip to reach under to the weep hole and it came back green. I had noticed a small amount of coolant too when parked. Did the timing chain, fuel pump, and cover seal too. The fan clutch was also replaced. At 160k it just made sense. Ran well for another 2yr with 60k.
BTW 12 years is pretty good for a water pump.
regards
rikard