I have a 01' f250 psd. Today I made a short trip ¾-mile trip. I parked it in my driveway and it sat for about an hour. I went out to leave and there was a small puddle of coolant. I looked under the truck and it was dripping down from the front of the engine. I drove it for a bit and let it heat up to normal operating temp and then let it idle in the driveway. Let it sit for an hour and no leak. I can see where i normally park in my driveway a few spots I guess it has done this no more than three times. Any ideas? It has 115k on the odometer.

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Maze<O></O>

 

My first guess would be a water pump on the way out. A small pin hole drip is the first sign.

 

If it is the water pump, does anyone know how dificult it is to swap out? I am no stranger to working on an engine just not one this new.

Thanks

Maze

 

I agree with Fire Rooster, it's not uncommon for a water pump seal to leak on and off while it's on its way out. There is a little weep hole on the waterpump, and if it's been leaking at all, there should be at least traces of coolant on the pump housing.

 

I have the same problem once in a while. It dosen't look like it's exactly from the front of the motor though and I've never seen it dripping. Just see a little spot once in a while on the driveway. It doesn't use enough coolant to worry about and I really don't think it's the water pump. Would like to figure out the mystery.

 

Problem solved!!! it was definatly the water pump. What a job that was. Makes me miss wokring on the GM 350's 20 min water pump swap. lol Well i changed it out and it took me about 7 hours to do. No more leaks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Maz, I just experienced the same problem on my 2000 7.3 with 117K miles. Started to drip a little and kept getting worse. Decided to replace pump. Bought pump through RockAuto.Com for $170 plus shipping. Same manufacturer as Ford, just cheaper.

Not too difficult to change. If the pump is the same as the 2000 it has right hand threads that hold the fan assembly to the water pump shaft (the big nut loking thing behind the fan).

I removed the radiator and all the hoses before starting out. Be sure to use the correct tools such as a quality strap wrench to hold the fan pulley while using a wrench to break the big nut. The fan assembly removes as a unit, you can't take the fan off separately from the clutch fan assembly.

If you haven't replaced recently you should replace the hoses, belt and thermostat during this process. Check the thermostat housing for any signs of rust and replace if necessary. Be sure to use new coolant and FoMoCo additive when going back.

Check your smooth pulleys for any sign of rubber from the belt sticking to the pulley. If present, clean with any solvent and a rag. I used a spray on similar to WD40, then wiped clean. If the smooth pulley on the tensioner arm just below the a/c pump shows any signs of wear, replace now. A bad pulley can cause you a lot of heartache.

Good luck.

 

Mine leaks a little coolant from time to time, the weird thing is, it only seems to do it when the truck is cold and has been sitting for a while..... There is coolant around the thermostat housing (where it mates with the pump) and on the top of the pump.....
Isn't the weep hole on the bottom of the pump?