Here is an odd one. I think I can guess the problem but would like some input on what you guys have seen before...

I have a 95 PSD with 250k. I live in central texas and recently the weather has been getting chilly. What I notice is if I dont drive my truck for a few days and park it in warm weather when the weather temperature drops (with it still sitting) my truck starts to drip radiator fluid. The exact source of the leak is unknown but it drips down from my main crank onto the ground (nothing at the rear of the motor).

Even more weird is its not lowering the level of my radiator. I can watch it spit fluid on my driveway all day, and before I leave to go somewhere I'll check my radiator level and its right at the top. (So I assume is sucking from my spill over, which is getting lower).

Another tidbit is if I see it dripping, if I start it up, drive it around for it to get warm, when i park it, it doesn't seem to drip anymore (nor does it drip while its running)

It seems to be when the ambient temp gets cold.

So I'm thinking my water pump is leaking somewhere? What are some common water pump problems? How hard is it to change on a 95 PSD, I had a 93 once and someone told me its easier to add fluid for the rest of my life than to change the pump, haha.

Thanks for the help. Luckily the truck runs at normal temp all day and doesn't seem to leak when running, so just need to keep an eye on it in between drives for now...

 

check the seep hole on the water pump...

 

and they are not bad to change...

 

I would guess water pump also. Can you see the weep hole leaking? It may also be the seals in the pump and when it gets cold they shrink and leakby happens. Try to locate where it is leaking from.

 

Ok sorry for the long delay but its been cold until today...

Its not leaking from any of the hoses or clamp points. The fluid is dripping onto the ground from the crank pulley. Where is the weep hole located on the pump? I can't seem to see the source, but I'm 98% sure its leaking between the crank pulley and fan clutch pulley (and I'm guessing that is where the weep hole is located?). Well I think its time for a new pump unless someone thinks otherwise.

If y'all concur, I'll be tackling that job tomorrow.

 

check the thermostat neck mine was doing the same thing for a why it was the neck then running down the water pump it was a $15 fix

 

yep its either the thermostat neck or the water pump weep hole which is very hard to see so it will be easiest to reach down there and check for fluid with your hand. The weep hole is right behind WP pulley on the bottom of the pump.

 

WOW! I was about to post the EXACT same thing tonight! Mine is doing EXACTLY what your's is doing but only about 3 or 4 drips and then nothing if I drive it regulary. If it's just the seals shrinking when it's cold should I really change them? It doesn't seem to be a huge issue. I mean at the rate mine is leaking it would take about a year to leak a 1/2 cup of fluid. Thoughts please.

 

ya a small leak is better than a huge one though huh?

 

I know mine is not the thermostat neck I just fixed that and fixed it right. Plus I already checked it. If it's coming out the water pump weephole but only when it gets really cold out then is it worth messing with? Remember mine only drops about 4 drops even then.

 

bump, bump

 

Mine does it also when truck cools down, not much but enough for a few drops on the pavement. It was hard to find but it is coming from a blank cover plate above the WP pully. The shape and size of the cover plate looks like it could be used for the upper radiator hose. Found a little bit of green on one of the bolts securing that plate and just below it is a tini-tiny valley where I could see some coolant collecting. Don't know what that cover plate is there for but the leak is so small think will wail until this spring to repair, unless it becomes more of a problem.

 

Hmmm, mine is doing the same thing, and it's around the thermostat.

 

I'm thinking the leak is always there but during driving conditions there is enough rotation and fan speed I don't notice the leak. After sitting for a few hours the drip on that tiny valley, maybe a couple table - spoons would start to spill over. That's my best guess at this time.

I thought I might just tighten the two bolts on that plate ... but with my luck I just might break one of the bolts and at this time I'm really not ready to replace the entire water pump .. cold, and snowing.

 

Well I got new pump at AutoZone yesterday and will probably tackle switching it out later this week. I have the Ford Service CD so it lays out the steps pretty well. I figure my pump has 250,000 miles on it, I guess its time for a new on anyways...