Water Pump question
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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Water Pump question
I just had a ridiculous amount of work done on my truck, 03 F350 SRW. IPR, ICP, EGR cooler, oil cooler, turbo actuator, etc. I got it back and it was running pretty good. About 300 miles later I started noticing coolant on the ground. I get underneath and look and it appears to be coming from the water pump. I take it back to the shop and they concur saying it is the water pump.
Now when I picked the truck up they had put standard NAPA coolant in it. I sorta went off on why they didn't use the correct rated coolant. They then proceeded to tell me that they knew better than Ford and have been around diesels their whole life, etc, etc. I had plans on changing it over to the Ford coolant the following weekend and just saying to hell with it.
Now the water pump has conveniently started leaking. Is this a coincidence or did the coolant cause this. I know I can't prove crap but I just have a hard time swallowing all of this happening in less than a tank of gas. They wanted $590 to change the water pump. After reviewing the tech folder it looks to be a two hour job tops. Am I way off base here or what? I plan on changing the water pump myself this weekend. This shop has just left a sour taste in my mouth.
Now when I picked the truck up they had put standard NAPA coolant in it. I sorta went off on why they didn't use the correct rated coolant. They then proceeded to tell me that they knew better than Ford and have been around diesels their whole life, etc, etc. I had plans on changing it over to the Ford coolant the following weekend and just saying to hell with it.
Now the water pump has conveniently started leaking. Is this a coincidence or did the coolant cause this. I know I can't prove crap but I just have a hard time swallowing all of this happening in less than a tank of gas. They wanted $590 to change the water pump. After reviewing the tech folder it looks to be a two hour job tops. Am I way off base here or what? I plan on changing the water pump myself this weekend. This shop has just left a sour taste in my mouth.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,241
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From: Other side of the sunrise
You know, I used to avoid the dealership whenever I could, mostly due to costs. But now I think I tend to lean toward dealerships for all repairs on these new high tech vehicles. My Mother in law just had some work done at a Pep Boys repair shop on her Intreped and got burned. The next time her car broke I took it to the Dodge Dealership where the techs know more about her flavor of car, Dodge.
Also, a friend of mine had an electrical problem on his Dodge Truck where it wouldn't start, turn over or anything. His truck has been in a shop for the past few weeks for diagnostics. It's still sitting in the shop. The shop tech called the Dodge Dealership and they said that the harness is the problem and that they see them all the time on his model truck. Hmmmm, after all of those hours of diagnostics I tend to think he would have gotten off cheaper at the Dealership.
These new engines can be complicated. The dealerships are experienced with them as they go through the warranty period on every model.
In short, next time I would go straight to a reputable Ford Dealership Shop before going outside.
Can't help you with your main question but thought I could offer this perspective that might help in the future. Good luck with your water pump.
Also, a friend of mine had an electrical problem on his Dodge Truck where it wouldn't start, turn over or anything. His truck has been in a shop for the past few weeks for diagnostics. It's still sitting in the shop. The shop tech called the Dodge Dealership and they said that the harness is the problem and that they see them all the time on his model truck. Hmmmm, after all of those hours of diagnostics I tend to think he would have gotten off cheaper at the Dealership.
These new engines can be complicated. The dealerships are experienced with them as they go through the warranty period on every model.
In short, next time I would go straight to a reputable Ford Dealership Shop before going outside.
Can't help you with your main question but thought I could offer this perspective that might help in the future. Good luck with your water pump.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
I vote for coincidence, because I don't think any available coolant would attack a water pump seal or gasket. Your truck is an '03, so a water pump replacement is not unexpected.
They had your coolant system drained to do all that work, so do you know if they used any flush cleanser? I've never trusted any of those, and consider putting an acid based cleaner in my engine as a last resort. But that's a debate for another time.
If you are handy, the water pump looks about as easy as they come. Just combine it with the coolant change you were going to do anyway, and enjoy the savings. Make sure you get ALL that other coolant out of there. There are multiple threads here describing how to do that. I just did mine last weekend.
They had your coolant system drained to do all that work, so do you know if they used any flush cleanser? I've never trusted any of those, and consider putting an acid based cleaner in my engine as a last resort. But that's a debate for another time.
If you are handy, the water pump looks about as easy as they come. Just combine it with the coolant change you were going to do anyway, and enjoy the savings. Make sure you get ALL that other coolant out of there. There are multiple threads here describing how to do that. I just did mine last weekend.
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I just spent the last hour outside underneath it trying to pin point where the leak is actually coming from. All of the coolant is draining off the back of the engine where the tranny bolts up. I can't see anywhere where it could leak from back there. Around the water pump up front is moist but I have a hard time believing that the coolant is coming out, flowing to the rear of the engine, and then dripping off? There is so much around the engine that I can't tell if it really is or not. I am losing coolant though for sure. The level has barely gone down in the degas bottle but it is leaving small puddles for sure. I can't catch a break on this thing to save my life. Thanks for the help. I think I will just be doing everything myself from here on out. I about maxed out every one of my credit cards getting the thing out the shop and then this happens. When it rains it pours.
Any ideas on where coolant would be coming from at the rear of the engine, or is it truly just draining along the engine that far?
Any ideas on where coolant would be coming from at the rear of the engine, or is it truly just draining along the engine that far?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
No, it's not your water pump. It's your EGR cooler hose. Now if I'm right, that is something they definitely should have replaced with the new updated version, and since they directly worked on it I think they bear some responsibility. It's not so easy to get to. You would be luckier if it was the water pump. But I don't think so.
Search this forum for "EGR COOLER HOSE" and sit back for some lengthy reading.
Search this forum for "EGR COOLER HOSE" and sit back for some lengthy reading.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 350
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From: central MN
It's probably the rubber hose on the back of your egr cooler. they have been known to leak, but if you just had the cooler replaced I would imagine they would have replaced that. Maybe a tech will chime in and verify if that is replaced with the egr cooler.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
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From: Whittier, CA
You beat me to it, cheezit. But that's good, maybe you can share how much of the top side you take apart when you have to replace that hose. I'm sure you do a bunch of them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
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EGR cooler hoses is the first place I would check...
Get a UV light and see where the glow is coming from if your coolant has a UV marker.
I am split as to whether it is a coincidence or they muffed something up.
Get a UV light and see where the glow is coming from if your coolant has a UV marker.
I am split as to whether it is a coincidence or they muffed something up.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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That is a negative on the EGR cooler hose. I just went out there and stuck my hand around it and it was dry as a bone. I looked around best I could and it is coming from the rear of the engine somewhere.