92 Ranger 3.0 Coolant Leak

[slycer2002]

I am sorry if this post is a little vague, but I have not had time to really get into looking for the source of the leak as my wife is currently in the hospital and my priorities are elsewhere at the moment. I noticed recently that when I shut my truck off, there is a steady drip of coolant from under the right (passenger side) of the engine. This is approximately where the A/C condensation will drip from. The first time I noticed the leak, I actually thought it was A/C condensation at first as I had been running my air. I realized it wasn't the A/C when I saw exactly how much had leaked. I have crawled under my truck a couple of times but I have not been able to pinpoint a source for the leak. Are there any particular spots that are common on the 3.0 engine to check? I read somewhere else that freeze plugs sometimes rot out, and also to check the intake manifold gasket, but are there any other places I should look? I did not see any standing fluid around the water pump, but I really didn't think this was it anyway because the puddle accumulates farther back than the waterpump and is off to the side instead of being right in the middle. The hoses all look okay, no soft spots or dried coolant around any of the fittings that I can see. Also, I did not see any coolant puddling around the thermostat housing either. The truck is currently sitting, but I really need to get it back on the road because it just doesn't feel right driving something else. I've had the truck for almost 16 years and it almost feels like cheating on my wife to drive something else. Any help would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[slycer2002]

Just wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten to update. My truck has been sitting in front of the house and I've been driving my wife's car while she's in the hospital. She gets home today so I should be able to check the truck by this weekend and let you know what I found out. Thanks for the reply.

 

[slycer2002]

Okay, after another two weeks and another 9 days in the hospital for my wife, I now have a diagnosis for my truck. The coolant actually is leaking out of my water pump. Its just hitting other items on the way down and flowing back toward the middle of the truck before it hits the ground. Is there a particular brand out there that I should look for? Or better yet, is there a particular brand I should stay away from? I found the usual el-cheapos at the local stores for $15-$30, but I believe that you get what you pay for. I would love to put a Motorcraft in my truck because the current water pump lasted 18 years, and to me that says quality. Or luck. Problem with the Motorcraft pump is that its $127 and change from O'Reilly's. I found one online at a company called Circle Distributing for $84.90. Has anybody out there dealt with this company to know if they are any good? That's probably what I am going to lean toward as soon as I have the $$ to spend on this. I would appreciate any thoughts anybody out there might have. Thank you in advance.

 

[Big Jim M]

A couple of months ago My son and I put an el cheapo on his 3.0.. It lasted all of three weeks before it went south!! Good thing it did have a warranty. He took it back and traded up to one that LOOKS exactly like a motorcraft! (the el cheapo looked different, the forged shape wasn't the same).
Anyway the new one has done the job for two or three months. He paid about $65. for it.
Big JIm

 

[slycer2002]

Okay, new Motorcraft water pump should be here tomorrow. Is there anything special that needs to be done to replace this or is it pretty straightforward? By "straightforward" I mean gain access, remove the old one, install the new one, and replace everything I took off to gain access. Sorry, I've never done a water pump before and I don't want to screw anything up. Thanks for any input.

 

[Rearanger]

Is there anything special that needs to be done to replace this or is it pretty straightforward? By "straightforward" I mean gain access, remove the old one, install the new one, and replace everything I took off to gain access. Sorry, I've never done a water pump before and I don't want to screw anything up.

Haynes manual, $20 at parts stores.

 

[slycer2002]

I already have one, but thanks. I was just wondering if there were any tips or tricks that others who have done this before may have figured out that would make things go a little smoother. Things that you don't find in the Haynes manual. Going by the book is all well and good, but sometimes there are things that you just have to put the book away for. Thanks in advance.

 

[Big Jim M]

By far the biggest problem wit R&R'n a water pump is cleaning up the block before installing the new pump. Even ONE little blemish on the seating surface will cause a leak or even worse a cracked coolant pump!
So take your time and get her nice and shiney before reinstalling the pump.
Then make sure to "burp" the system so it will for sure and certain be full to the brim with coolant.
Big JIm

 

[slycer2002]

That's the kind of tip I was talking about. I would have said, "Eh, close enough for gov'mint work" and called it a day, and then been out $100! Thanks Big Jim!

 

[Rearanger]

That's the kind of tip I was talking about. I would have said, "Eh, close enough for gov'mint work" and called it a day,

Water pump section of Haynes;

22 Clean the bolt threads and the threaded holes in the engine to remove corrosion and sealant.

24 Remove all traces of old gasket material from the engine gasket surface with a gasket scraper.

25 Clean the engine and new water pump gasket mating surfaces with lacquer thinner or acetone.

26 Apply a thin layer of RTV sealant to the engine side of the new gasket

27 Apply a thin layer of RTV sealant to the gasket mating surface of the new pump...

 

[slycer2002]

Water pump section of Haynes;

22 Clean the bolt threads and the threaded holes in the engine to remove corrosion and sealant.

24 Remove all traces of old gasket material from the engine gasket surface with a gasket scraper.

25 Clean the engine and new water pump gasket mating surfaces with lacquer thinner or acetone.

26 Apply a thin layer of RTV sealant to the engine side of the new gasket

27 Apply a thin layer of RTV sealant to the gasket mating surface of the new pump...

Seriously? What, did you think I pissed in your Cheerios because I liked his answer better? This is not a popularity contest. I told you, I have a Haynes manual. I know the Haynes manual says to clean up after the old pump before you install a new pump. But what I was asking for, and what Big Jim provided, are the things that are NOT in the manual. Like, exactly why it is important to clean the mating surfaces. I am not a mechanic. As I have said many times before, I am only a weekend warrior when it comes to wrenching on my truck. I have never done this job before. I would imagine, judging by his response, that he has. Judging by YOUR response, any question in this forum could be answered with "Haynes manual, $20 at parts stores..." As I replied to him, I wouldn't have been that thorough when cleaning the surfaces and would have done a half-assed job and screwed myself. I would not have placed that much importance on it. Now I know that I need to spend a little extra time to do what needs to be done. Big Jim provided the type of answer that I was looking for. You phoned it in. Get over it.

 

[Rearanger]

I told you, I have a Haynes manual. I know the Haynes manual says to clean up after the old pump before you install a new pump.

Your feelings get hurt easily. Why didn't you read the manual before asking the question. I couldn't care less what Big Jim wrote, and as you have noticed I don't care about popularity - just guys that ask simple questions before taking the time to read, if they even bothered to invest in a manual.

Big Jim gave you the short answer for what's in the manual, that's in much more detail. Good luck with the fix, and come back if you run into trouble.

 

[slycer2002]

You are right, I did jump on you for no reason. Sorry about that. Things in my personal life are starting to leak around the edges and I didn't mean to take it out on you. You did an honest job trying to help me and I do appreciate it. Thank you.

 

[Big Jim M]

Now now gentlemen!!

You are right, I did jump on you for no reason. Sorry about that. Things in my personal life are starting to leak around the edges and I didn't mean to take it out on you. You did an honest job trying to help me and I do appreciate it. Thank you.

I've got time to date both of you...if that's what this is all about!
Big JIm

 

[slycer2002]

My wife would find that interesting... Austin, huh? Is it true what they say about things being bigger in Texas???