Coolant leak

[Hasdrubal]

I noticed some coolant leaking on the ground. Looks like its coming from the harmonic balancer, all hoses and connections are good. Appears to be a water pump failure. From underneath it looks like the bottom of the pump is wet where there is a small hole. Think I read about this weep hole leaking a little bit as a sign the pump is gone. How long do I have before it goes south?

Found the relative section in the TM's but no posts on s search. Any words of wisdom from someone who has done this before or a post link?

 

[Westech]

Its already south. Leaking means failed.

 

[KsM715]

Once you have coolant coming out of the weep hole its time to get a new pump.

 

[Hasdrubal]

What I meant by going south was could I drive it tomorrow to get parts as my coolant overflow tank is still full. The TM's call for Pipe sealant ; is this white wrap around tape or a brush on type similiar to neverseize?

 

[boondock]

The pump provides coolant circulation; a full overflow tank may mean little.

 

[sierrajcharlie]

My son had his pump doing the same thing and lasted a week before we could get it changed. I had one go out on my pickup awhile back and it just totally blew. Not a hose, but everything came out of the weep hole. Within 300 ft I dropped all the fluid, luckily I pulled into my driveway as it emptied.
Your results may vary.

 

[rlwm211]

If your pump fails drastically you will lose your radiator. What happens is that the seal is failing and when it goes, the bearings in the waterpump are next. When they go the fan will tear the back of the radiator apart.

That would be one very expensive trip to the parts store.

My suggestion is to find an alternate means of getting your pump and avoid driving the truck. By the time the pump is leaking enough to see it on the ground, it is terminal and a disaster waiting to happen if you do not change it pronto.

RL

 

[Hasdrubal]

Raining today, so I borrowed a car and went to buy all the parts, will do it tomorrow. Read the TM's and several other web sources, one talks of a gasket between the plate and the block but the TM's only say to use Anaerobic sealing compound. Am I missing this gasket or is this misinformation?