Coolant loss, Engine temp fine, Burning.....

[4.0L2WD]

When it rain's, It pours.....LOL

So i have a 2001 Ranger 2wd with a 4.0L. I was driving down the road, Engine temp was normal, Water temp was slightly raised i noticed, Other gauges normal. I had the heater on low. Heat works fine. I started smelling coolant while i was driving and i thought i saw a bit of smoke coming out of the hood vent.

I pulled over and popped the hood, It's was all steaming and smelled like burnt coolant. The overfill was empty and i had filled it last week. I got my mag light and looked under the truck and saw coolant dripping off the steering pump, I looked up and it seems to be leaking from the "water pump housing" ? I also noticed the A/C black cylinder and the compressing line had a lot of water and condensation built up and the lines were REALLY COLD. .

After about 10 mins, I started back up the truck and drove home, When i got home, Repeat.....Leaking, Hot, Burning, AC lines cold.

What does this sound like? Water pump? bad hard line?

I noticed the raditor was full of coolant but the overfill was empty.
I noticed the truck runs and operates fine and the temp gauge stays at normal operating temp.
The thermostat and housing was replaced last year.

Any trouble shooting advice or Tech links would be great.....I am really confused on the AC lines being cold. I hear clicking around that area.

Thanks

 

[Big Jim M]

The A/C lines being cold is normal when the DEFROSTER is on.. It keeps the windshield dry and fogless.
You do need to find the coolant leak and be quick about it!
There is a hole in the bottom of the coolant pump that allows coolant to leak out when the pump starts to fail.
From the description you gave it is possible (from here) that there could be a small hole in a coolant hose that is squirting coolant out..
Also of suspect would be the one year old thermostat housing for a leak.
Big JIm

 

[RangerSVT]

The small hole under the water pump is there and designed to let the coolant leak out when the seal fails, preventing the coolant from entering the engine oil. You need a water pump, and while you are at it, I'd change the thermostat as well
SVT

 

[4.0L2WD]

Where is the coolant pump located? Front and center? or off the left a little? I found the coolant leak area. From under the truck, I noticed coolant on the steering pump, springs, xmember, sway bar, leaking off 1 hard line and above that it seemed to be around the water pump area mid way above the crank pulley. It gets pretty stuffed in that area, So it's hard to pin point.

Where is the coolant pump located? This is new to me.

Thanks a bunch.

 

[RangerSVT]

Your fan is connected to your water pump, and your thermostat is at the bottom of your upper radiator hose
SVT

 

[4.0L2WD]

Water pump and seal time. Hooray. LOL. Sounds about right. That was my fear.

How long would a person be able to drive a truck with a failing water pump and leaking seal until it really hurts the engine? 2-4 days? 50 miles total maybe? Work to home.

Appreciate the good and fast info.

 

[RangerSVT]

You can drive it for quite a while, just make sure you don't run low on coolant (antifreeze) and watch your temp gauge....FYI the seal is built in the water pump, so when you change the water pump, it takes care of everything...
SVT

 

[4.0L2WD]

Will do. Thanks for the fast reply's. Now i can go calm my wife down. Hehehe.

 

[4.0L2WD]

Can you recommend a quality water pump?

 

[RangerSVT]

I have shopped at all three autoparts stores (AutoZone, Advance auto, and oreilly's) and about 20 years ago I worked at AutoZone, I know AutoZone has quality parts and most of the time at the cheapest price...I'd get the lifetime warranty pump, it is a higher quality pump than the reman, longer life too
SVT

 

[Big Jim M]

I would NOT allow a leaking vehicle to leave my driveway! Call a cab... or a buddy, or ride the neighbor kids bike!
One NEVER knows when that pump will fail and burn up the engine! If it's the only ride you have take care of it!
Big JIm

 

[RangerSVT]

While I do agree with this, it will be ok for hime to drive it to the store to get the part, its just leaking at the seal, its not like the oil pump went out....But yeah, drive it as least as possible til you get it repaired
SVT

 

[4.0L2WD]

Well i just got ****ed at the shop. Bought a duralast water pump from autozone, Went to the shop paid them $65 for trouble shooting and $200 to install water pump. When they are done, The guy comes up to me and say's well we got the pump installed, But that is not where the leak is coming from.....

The lower thermastat housing is shooting coolant out under load. WTF.....Couldn't they of told me this before they started working on my truck???? What was the $65 trouble shooting fee for??????


Leasson learned. Don't let mexican shops in the ghetto work on your shit. I am pissed. Then they quote me $365 to install a new housing and t-stat...Yeah right....

Funny they do the work, collect the money, then tell you what the real problem is.

 

[Big Jim M]

Yep! Blame somebody else!!! If coolant is "shooting out" from under the thermostat housing YOU should have found it! Saved yourself a LOT of money...
Big JIm

 

[Rudie Del Rude]

Well i just got ****ed at the shop. Bought a duralast water pump from autozone, Went to the shop paid them $65 for trouble shooting and $200 to install water pump. When they are done, The guy comes up to me and say's well we got the pump installed, But that is not where the leak is coming from.....


Leasson learned. Don't let mexican shops in the ghetto work on your shit. I am pissed. Then they quote me $365 to install a new housing and t-stat...Yeah right....

Funny they do the work, collect the money, then tell you what the real problem is.

Can't help but agree with Jim here. and How is a water pump cheaper to replace than a thermostat?