Water Pump leaking

[Louis Schuhler]

My water pump on my 1999 Ranger 3.0 is leaking where it bolts to the block on the passenger side. Is this typical? I've always expected it to leak out of the weep hole below the shaft. It appears that the gasket is leaking in that spot. Could I just get buy with a new gasket, or should I plan on a new pump? The truck has 150,000 miles and I do not know if the water pump has ever been replaced. How big a PITA is R&R ing the water pump?

 

[triumphrider-1]

I'd take the serpentine belt off a see if the pump shaft wiggles at all. Spin it see how it feels when rotating. This will help determine if you need a new one. I just changed mine two weeks ago, it didn't make much noise, or leak; but the shaft had way too much play in it.

The only thing that really makes it a pain is that you have to remove the a/c and power steering bracket so you can get to one bolt underneath it. The Haynes manual states 4 hours to replace it and depending on tools / experience may take longer. I did mine in 10 hours, but I also did a coolant flush (recommended by Haynes prior to replacment) and swapped out the tensioner assembly while I had the bracket off.

Personally, if I was going that far to change the gasket, I'd just change the pump as well.