coolant leak

[TorontoJohn]

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?

Thanks

John

 

[5.0 con-vert]

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!

 

[TorontoJohn]

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.

 

[TorontoJohn]

whooops double post

 

[srothfuss]

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.

 

[Roland69]

Fix it right the firdt time. You could just do a temp fix with some goo for right now but fix it soon after.