Hey all

It's pretty obvious from a visual inspection my water pump probably has some rust issues.


I don't know for sure if the pump itself is leaking, but something to do with my coolant system has what I believe is a slow leak. I have topped off the bone-dry coolant reservoir multiple times since I had to take the radiator out to replace my badly leaking steering pump.

At the time, I had flushed the hell out of the radiator and cleaned it up really well since I had it out. Ditto for the undercarriage underneath the radiator & the reservoir. I was trying to make sure the steering pump replacement fixed the leak there, and had the extra benefit of being clean so I could spot any coolant issues in the same area.

I don't see much leaking at all. I've had cardboard under the truck for a few months, and barely get dime-sized spots after that long. It's not driven much at all - still waiting for my son to get his license. It's not leaking & evaporating in the engine compartment - there's no sign of that anywhere that I cleaned up.

But the coolant reservoir continues to become bone-dry after topping it off numerous times. I originally put 2+ gallons of antifreeze concentrate in there with 2+ gallons of water and the 460 has a capacity of 18 quarts. That's at least 16 quarts in originally and I've topped off at least 3x into the radiator + filling the reservoir. It still goes dry in no time. Truck does not appear to be running hot, however.

What should I be checking for?

I figured if I was going to need to remove the radiator again, I should at least consider replacing the water pump, so I looked into grabbing one now to be ready for it.

I found a list of no less than 10 for the truck at RockAuto. Which one do I need? How do I tell? The link I used is here

 

Anybody? I'd love to order the pump and have that on hand.

As for the coolant, I'm stumped. I know I've now put over 18 quarts in, but the beast still wants more.

 

In my brother's 91 F-250 460 we are running the gates 44003 water pump none of the other 3 460 trucks we have owned have I seen a different one but could be possible i suppose.

As far as the disappearing coolant on my brother's 91 it was that threaded elbow like deal for the heater core that was leaking when running but it was very hard to ever notice.
Trav

 

Its got to be going somewhere. As redneckford touched on Id possibly be looking into the heater core, check the carpets inside the truck and see if they aren't wet from a leaking core and perhaps even gain access to visually inspect the core. Failing that it is also possible there is an issue inside there engine with a faulty gasket, check the oil to see it isnt milky from contamination by coolant. Even check the exhaust when the truck is running to see there isnt excess steam or water coming out there.
Failing that, Id leave it running in your driveway with the cardboard under it once it is at operating temp, it is possible there is a leak that may open up more when the engine is warm.
Not familiar with the 460 water pumps but I know the 5.0 as well as other vehicles have a weep hole on the pump which will leak water when the pump is worn out and needing replacing, if your truck has this check it isnt leaking out of there. Id check when it is operating temp.
Let us know how you go with it and good luck.

 

Hi,
I would go to NAPA and get it!

If there is a fit problem....

Easy to return!

 

Thanks all. I appreciate the advice. I'll pick up the 44003 and try that out. I checked my local auto parts stores and it's 2x the price and a haul of a drive. Looks like I'll get it online and check it out from there.

I'll check out the heater core area and see what I can find. I'm wondering if the radiator simply has a much greater capacity than indicated in the owners manual. I figure I've got 19 quarts in at this point. Without a visible leak, and having had the truck sit for long periods of time without large spots on the driveway - that's the only thing I can think of that would make sense. Unless I was sloshing out huge amounts of coolant and not having any spillage once the truck was parked, but that doesn't seem right.

I'll keep looking and see what I find.

 

First, I would suggest: go to AutoZone or Advance and borrow a cooling system tester.

Then, if you still can't find the leak with the system pressurized, you need to consider you might be burning that coolant. Pay someone to do a head gasket test (which detects combustion gas in your cooling system)...about 25 bucks here.

Roy

 

Ok, I have figured out the coolant leak portion of this post thread. It is leaking from the bottom of the coolant reservoir. It only leaks when the truck is running, and the movement / vibration of the vehicle is apparently what is making it do so. Perhaps a crack underneath, maybe a loose connection to the inlet hose to the radiator. I had put in some coolant additive to stop small leaks, along with perhaps a half gallon of mixed water / coolant into the reservoir. The radiator itself was full quickly, so I put most of that into the reservoir. No leaks at the time, but the next day after I began to drive it I immediately smelled coolant. Found that it was dripping down the engine compartment interior of the left front wheel well just behind the reservoir, and the air intake from the grill was drying it off pretty fast. I guess it had more fluid coming out this time than previously, because I hadn't noticed the leak previously. So later this week I'll pull the reservoir out and see what's going on.

Assuming I have a crack in the plastic that isn't too big, is RTV gasket seal a worthwhile fix? I found a video about it
If it's a connection, that'll be easier.

 

Don't waste your time trying to fix it; a new one is only $30.