I have a coolant leak from the right passenger side of the motor. There seems to be a steady drip from one of the lower passenger side water pump bolts. Is this a common problem and can I fid it by tightening the bolt, or maybe a quick gob of silicone?
You can try. Just dont break anything, like a stud or that type of thing. Make sure that it isn't something simple like a hose that is leaking onto the bolt before you dig too far into it. Hopefully you aren't about to have to change the gasket on the timing cover/water pump!
Well it doesn't appear to be a hose leak or from the t-stat housing. It looks like a steady drip directly from the the bolt in question. There is no flow from other areas, it seems to just appear.
If I tear the front of the engine off I would be compelled to get a new water pump...probably edlbrock or something.
Let's face it... Chevy got the timing chain cover and water pump design right. Ford on the other hand... well you can use your imagination.
When I first picked up my most recent Mustang, I had a similar leak. Silicon will not work as a permanent solution. The proper way to fix it is to take off the water pump and reseal with a new gasket.