Water leak
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New User
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Water leak
Ok so I walk outside and notice a puddle under my bronco. I saw something dripping so I climbed underneath and saw water dripping from what looks like from around the oil pan. I panic so I pulled the dip stick and oil looks good, not milky. I have been having to add coolant periodically but she is a 92 and I just figured that comes with age. It runs fine but now I'm worried because I've never seen this before. Anybody got any ideas?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Lincoln, NE
I have all sorts of ideas! 
But you really have to get under there and start looking around. You might have to rent/borrow a cooling system pressure tester if the leak isn't obvious. Knowing if it is a 4.9L, 5.0L, 5.8L or some custom swap would help.
Mine has a drip or two on the front lip of the oil pan when I look under there. I have found that my front timing chain cover is seeping coolant on both sides. I'm planning on fixing it as soon as it looks like we won't get any snow storm this spring.
But you really have to get under there and start looking around. You might have to rent/borrow a cooling system pressure tester if the leak isn't obvious. Knowing if it is a 4.9L, 5.0L, 5.8L or some custom swap would help.
Mine has a drip or two on the front lip of the oil pan when I look under there. I have found that my front timing chain cover is seeping coolant on both sides. I'm planning on fixing it as soon as it looks like we won't get any snow storm this spring.
New User
Joined: Mar 2011
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Throwing out some maybe's. Freeze plug, heater hose failure or loose clamp, timing cover as mentioned, head gasket, water pump. I would suggest starting with a good flashlight and a inspection mirror and start looking for the source
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I went and got a pressure tester and pumped it to 15psi and started looking. I foiund one leak at the tstat housing so that one wont be bad. I have another one though and its dripping right where the drivers side motor mount is. I cant see anything above there and it doesn't appear to be the timing cover or water pump leaking and running. I know that there is no water in the oil so I hope that rules out head gasket. Is there a freeze plug near that? I will for sure replace tstat and housing while I'm there and the water pump looked like it had a small amount of moisture at the weep hole so now I'm just confused. Don't want to just start thirowing darts so any info would help! Thanks guys
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Joined: Mar 2011
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Just reread your thread. As for the weep hole on water pump, if there is no wobble or squeal to the bearing, I would wait until it starts dripping before replacing it. My CJ's water pump has had a hint of moisture at the weep hole for years and is still going fine. If you already dont, I'd recommend using distilled water with your antifreeze. Everything lives longer without the minerals.
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Yeah I use distilled water. I cant even see above that motor mount. That's prob gonna be a mother to change that freeze plug!
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I had a YJ that had a leak that I couldn't find and ended up putting some leak stop in it. It was the kind that had aluminum in it and it worked great. I'm leary of using it on this leak though. I know that stuff is just a band aid, but I wonder if it will work?
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Never been a fan of any kind of stop leak products. Tried it 1 time(30 years ago) as a teen in my ElCamino with a 327. Stopped the leak, but within 2 weeks it overheated so bad the engine was toast. Expensive lesson. On my 91 it looks like pulling the motor mount(s),tire/ inner fender and raising the engine a bit would get you in there.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,521
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From: Washington Coast
Run, do not walk away from the stop leak. It'll cause more trouble than cure. I used to use for emergency only. Pulled several radiators with plugging due to Stop leak.
They do make a tool for installing freeze plugs, has a striking end and the shaft has a ball that fits into the plate to set the freeze plug. Cost about $100.00 or may be able to borrow from Auto Zone or the like. You can also try the rubber expanding plugs
They do make a tool for installing freeze plugs, has a striking end and the shaft has a ball that fits into the plate to set the freeze plug. Cost about $100.00 or may be able to borrow from Auto Zone or the like. You can also try the rubber expanding plugs
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