Coolant leaked out
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New User
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Fallon, Nevada
Coolant leaked out
Good Morning! The other day my truck overheated not far from home, (thank goodness). I bought some coolant, an air filter and oil thinking it just needed a bit of TLC.... but when I poured the coolant into the radiator, it leaked straight out almost as fast as I poured it in! It looks like it's leaking from the water pump (?) where the serpentine belt wraps around it. Very hard to tell for sure. My truck is a 1993 F350 Diesel dually with an aftermarket Turbo. Never had any problems like this in 5 years. I woke up this morning with such dread 
....any ideas on what to do, what to look for, or ideas on what may have happened?? Thank you!!!
....any ideas on what to do, what to look for, or ideas on what may have happened?? Thank you!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
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water pumps do fail every so often, and likely yours did. grab the fan blade and wiggle if forward-back while watching the water pump pulley. a new one will have only a couple thousandths of an inch of visible movement at the pulley, a bad one can have enough slack to clunk back and forth. if its loose, you definitely need a water pump. if its not loose, the water pump might still be the problem, but also check the heater hose that comes off from there and any other connections.
water pumps aren't that hard to change out. the hardest part can be getting the fan clutch off, and thats not even too bad once you find a wrench that fits. to remove it, leave the belt in place to hold the pulley still, then hammer on your wrench in the right direction until it comes loose.
if you can't find the right fan clutch wrench, ask your local auto parts store if they have a loaner set. if that fails, buy a chain wrench like this one Locking Chain Clamp wrap it around the wrench flats there, and hammer on it. easier said than done, but i've done it multiple times, so it can be done.
once the fan clutch is off, its much like any other water pump, you know what to do
water pumps aren't that hard to change out. the hardest part can be getting the fan clutch off, and thats not even too bad once you find a wrench that fits. to remove it, leave the belt in place to hold the pulley still, then hammer on your wrench in the right direction until it comes loose.
if you can't find the right fan clutch wrench, ask your local auto parts store if they have a loaner set. if that fails, buy a chain wrench like this one Locking Chain Clamp wrap it around the wrench flats there, and hammer on it. easier said than done, but i've done it multiple times, so it can be done.
once the fan clutch is off, its much like any other water pump, you know what to do
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New User
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Fallon, Nevada
Thank you both! I went out and crawled in/around/under looking for leaks, added water and it poured right out at the water pump where it is attached to the pulley, no other leaks to be found. Last night my first thought had been the seal also, just a gut feeling..since I know nothing 
I will call a mechanic and see who I can get to come all the way out here...nothing like living far from town! Again, thank you for your knowledge and helpfulness, I really appreciate it!
I will call a mechanic and see who I can get to come all the way out here...nothing like living far from town! Again, thank you for your knowledge and helpfulness, I really appreciate it!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
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A water pump is fairly straight forward, you could probably do it yourself if you have basic tools.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
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yeah, doing it yourself is pretty simple. the only hard part is getting the fan clutch off like i described, from there its easy, unbolt it, clean the mating surface, apply a thin layer of RTV to the gasket that came with the new one, and assemble it.
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