coolant leak help

EF5.0 · Dec 22, 2012

Well while completing my tune-up, I discovered a coolant leak.

I can't find a definitive place where it seems to be coming from. The leak puddles right below the harmonic balancer pulley, drops coming off of the front sway bar and the wire cover right above the sway bar.

The two suggestions I've had so far are the water pump or the timing cover gasket failing. I do know that the timing cover gasket is slightly leaking oil already.

The only trace of coolant I can find is going up the front of the block but can't find a source. It appears to run down and channel down to the sway bar, and also down the oil pan lip towards the rear. When I had the car jacked up for the oil change it started to puddle coolant under the bell housing.

I know this is a lot of information. I will post the pictures that I have when I get back to my computer.

The top right corner where the darker area is seems to be where the biggest accumulation of gunk is from coolant moisture.

This shows where is is dripping from to hit the ground, also it shows the oil pan lip with moisture running along it towards the back.

Those are the best pictures I have right now...

Thank you.

CC'S95GT · Dec 22, 2012

most likely it's the water pump. look from under the car or use an inspection mirror. you'll probably see a stain from the coolant dribbling down the underside of the WP coming from the weep hole.

EF5.0 · Dec 23, 2012

Can someone describe what the weep hole looks like? Never heard of it before honestly :/

eleanor95 · Dec 23, 2012

it's just a small "hole" in the middle of the water pump on the bottom close to the timing cover. More than likely the pump is the issue.

EF5.0 · Dec 23, 2012

Went out and looked at it again. The majority of the residue/grime build up path seems to lay underneath the thermostat housing. But with all the hoses there I can't really see it that well. The T-stat housing didn't feel wet at all underneath when I got my hand to fit between all the maze of hoses. The water pump looks absolutely clean. I don't know for sure if its the pump... its alarmingly clean if it is the pump...

Also Updated the first post with pics

mkbrower · Dec 23, 2012

It's probably the water pump but if it was me, I would assume its the timing chain cover gasket since its leaking oil and needs to be fixed anyways and change out the water pump for good measure since I would probably remove it while replacing the timing chain cover gasket. With my luck if it wasn't bad it soon would be and I'd be doing the work again.

Raffaelli · Dec 23, 2012

Timing covers like to corrode. I'd pull it off and check.

EF5.0 · Dec 23, 2012

I'm pretty sure its just the water pump. It does not leak unless it is or has been running.

So my plan is to just go ahead and replace the timing cover gasket and, while I have it off, the water pump as well.

Hopefully the fixes everything