Leaking waterpump.... need advice
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From: Austin
Leaking waterpump.... need advice
I lost a bypass hose and while replacing it I decided to go ahead and flush the coolant system and replace the upper and lower hose as well as heater hoses. After all, they were 12 years old and have 100K miles on them. I told my wife that the water pump would start leaking within the next two months since the system now has a fresh charge of clean collant. I was wrong. The pump started leaking four months later so I did get extra mileage out of my efforts.
The leak is coming from what appears to be two places. First the pump to timing chain cover and the timing chain cover itself. During my search I also found a leak in the right tank of the radiator. I need input on several questions.
Radiator: New or have the OEM one rebuilt?
Waterpump: Is the timing chain cover leak commonplace? All the waterpumps I have replaced in the past have leaked from the hole near the shaft.
Timing Chain: With 100K and having the radiator and waterpump out would I be well served in going ahead with a timing chain replacement while I'm in there? I have not checked for any strectch as of yet but when I do what should be my limit before replacing 2,3,4 degrees?
The leak is coming from what appears to be two places. First the pump to timing chain cover and the timing chain cover itself. During my search I also found a leak in the right tank of the radiator. I need input on several questions.
Radiator: New or have the OEM one rebuilt?
Waterpump: Is the timing chain cover leak commonplace? All the waterpumps I have replaced in the past have leaked from the hole near the shaft.
Timing Chain: With 100K and having the radiator and waterpump out would I be well served in going ahead with a timing chain replacement while I'm in there? I have not checked for any strectch as of yet but when I do what should be my limit before replacing 2,3,4 degrees?
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Wisconsin
About a month ago, I had to replace my water pump for the same problem you have, the gasket went bad and started pouring coolent out. I don't think the gasket going bad is very common, since the waterpump usually starts leaking out by the shaft before the gasket goes out. With 100k, it is probably in your best intrest to replace the timing chain, since you have everything off, and it is only a few more bolts to get the timing chain cover off. As for the radiator, I'm not sure, but I think it is more of a preference if you want rebuilt or new.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Leakage and Timing chain
Help! When I took my 1989 F350 460 apart to change the water pump and correct a leak between the cover and the block, I discovered that the previous owner had replaced the original chain with a double roller. The leak was due to him not removing all of the old gasket from the block before reassembling! The roller chain idea is good, but it is a Ford unit and the cam gear is marked D8TE-BA then in another place are some numbers that are hard to read: 5256 or 5266 or ? I didn't spot any other part numbers. I think that means my 1989 has a 1978-era chain. Does anyone know what this might be off of and if it is 0° or a retarded timing set?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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From: Austin
A buddy cautioned me that removing the timing chain cover will disturb the oil pan gasket that seals along the bottom of the timing chain cover. Will I end up replacing an oil pan gasket as well?
I recall reading some other posts that said the oil pan will not come off because of the front differential unless you break the motor mounts loose and jack up the motor. Beginning to appear as though this project will snowball on me.
I recall reading some other posts that said the oil pan will not come off because of the front differential unless you break the motor mounts loose and jack up the motor. Beginning to appear as though this project will snowball on me.
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To change the timing set or not?
A few years ago I pulled the front apart on my 460 to change a water pump and am very glad I went ahead and pulled the timing cover to inspect the chain: it was shot! Besides, my '89 I am working on now leaks between the timing cover and the block. The gasket set for the timing cover includes two very short pieces of gasket for sealing to the pan. I had no trouble with oil leaks before, so I am hoping not to have leaks this time. I'd say, "Go for it!"
Jim
Jim
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From: Louisville, KY
Just curious....why did you think that fresh coolant would cause your water pump to start leaking? I'm asking because I flushed and filled my system about a month ago (Looked like the PO had NEVER done it!) and about a week later I started to notice coolant under the truck and the smell of coolant after the truck ran for awhile. It's been Alaskan cold here for the last 2 weeks, so I haven't had a chance to crawl under the truck to inspect, but I'm betting I have a very similar problem.
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From: Austin
Just from past experience, RRobben, seems like if the coolant has been in there awhile and you change it you will get a failure somewhere in the system. Realistically there is probably no merit to my remarks but it sure seems that way. My brother had a Camaro all through college and never maintained anything. He came over to my house to "get caught up" on things. We drained and flushed the radiator and the rust tainted coolant stained the driveway for years. Sure enough two weeks later, the waterpump went out. Seems like the waterpump could not handle a fresh batch of coolant, there again it was probably just worn out.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Louisville, KY
I wonder if it is a physical thing. Maytbe the rust in the system prior to the flush was actually plugging a hole, and after it was cleaned out there was nothing left to keep the hole from leaking. Or, maybe it's a seal expansion / contraction issue. Maybe new coolant causes seals to contract, and leads to the leaks. Maybe it's the ghost of Elvis....Who knows! Either way, I need to find and fix my leak before something bad happens.
