Antifreeze leak
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
Antifreeze leak
1988 F250 351
I can't remember if antifreeze flows through the lower intake manifold or not so I thought I put the question out here.
Does antifreeze flow through the lower intake maifold?
I have antifreeze leaking in what looks like above and behind the water pump. The pump itself doesn't look like the problem. I see antifreeze sitting on the two ledges next to the timing chain cover under the front of the lower intake manifold. When the truck is sitting for a few days the antifreeze reserve tank will drain down almost completely.
Thanks
I can't remember if antifreeze flows through the lower intake manifold or not so I thought I put the question out here.
Does antifreeze flow through the lower intake maifold?
I have antifreeze leaking in what looks like above and behind the water pump. The pump itself doesn't look like the problem. I see antifreeze sitting on the two ledges next to the timing chain cover under the front of the lower intake manifold. When the truck is sitting for a few days the antifreeze reserve tank will drain down almost completely.
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
I borrowed the pressure tester from Auto Zone and promptly located the leak. It was coming from one or both of the water pump gaskets apparently going through two of the borings in the water pump casting and leaking up on the ledge beside the timing chain cover. The leak must be traveling inside where the through bolt for the alternator and power steering pump brackets go.
I'm going to replace the pump and the radiator when I do the fix. Both are aging.
Is it good practice to put RTV sealant on any of the bolts that hold in the water pump or is putting sealant on the two new gaskets sufficient?
I'm going to replace the pump and the radiator when I do the fix. Both are aging.
Is it good practice to put RTV sealant on any of the bolts that hold in the water pump or is putting sealant on the two new gaskets sufficient?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
do what the manual says to do.
putting rtv on things not meant to have it sometimes backfires when it comes loose and clogs something else.
glad you pressure checked the system to find where it was leaking.
good luck.
putting rtv on things not meant to have it sometimes backfires when it comes loose and clogs something else.
glad you pressure checked the system to find where it was leaking.
good luck.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
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From: Concord, NC
I've RTV'd the four water pump bolts/studs that are right next to the water passage to the block the last couple times (just a thin coat to keep them dry) and had no issues taking it apart or cleaning it up the next time I took the assembly apart. The first time I ever took off the water pump/timing cover, I broke two of the studs due to rust.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
Well Mint
I just came in from pulling the water pump and read your post. You were dead on. The leak was between the timing chain cover and the block. I can't remember if the balancer has got to come off to get the TC cover off. Probably!
What gasket sealant is good for these areas? I have red RTV if that's good. I would like this repair to work for more than 6,000 miles this time around.
I just came in from pulling the water pump and read your post. You were dead on. The leak was between the timing chain cover and the block. I can't remember if the balancer has got to come off to get the TC cover off. Probably!
What gasket sealant is good for these areas? I have red RTV if that's good. I would like this repair to work for more than 6,000 miles this time around.
