Leaking water around the water pump

1999 FORD EXPLORER
214,000 MILES • 5.0L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MARK KOON
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I can't find the leak... It's somewhere around the top right side of the water pump... I'm not sure if i need to change the pump or the timing chain cover gaskets or both. When the radiator is full and thermostat is open i have no overheating issues and the heater works wonderfully... But the water gets low from the leak and i know it's time to add water when the heater quits working and the temperature gauge goes up. That's the best i can describe it.
Jan 30, 2020 at 8:09 AM
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BMDOUBLE
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Most common leaks on these vehicles are from the thermostat housing and bypass hoses, which can make coolant run down the right side of the front cover. The water pump is my next suspect and can leak either from the weep hole or the gasket itself, but the front cover is definitely a possibility with this kind of age and mileage. A pressure test with a full cooling system is the best way to find these leaks. here is a guide that can help, and I've also attached a few pictures:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test
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Jan 30, 2020 at 10:28 AM
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MARK KOON
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Thank you so much. I know now that its the gasket on the drivers side of the water pump. Water just pours out at idle when first started but seems to stop as the engine heats up and traveling at freeway speed. At least as long as I keep a close eye on the water level and carry 3 or 4 gallons of water with me I think i can continue to drive until I can get it fixed . Thanks again I'm going to keep this site in my phone!!!
Jan 30, 2020 at 4:04 PM
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BMDOUBLE
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You're very welcome! Yes keep us in your pocket!
Jan 31, 2020 at 7:10 AM
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MARK KOON
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Well i changed water pump, gasket,ther
mostat and gasket, installed new bypass hose started the truck and was leaking in the same place . Although it has stopped now and everything is running normally ... Could it be the timing chain cover gasket behind the water pump that is leaking ?
Feb 9, 2020 at 4:21 PM
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BMDOUBLE
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Yes, I would have done the same thing to my vehicle though so you're not in the wrong by replacing it first. But if you have access to a pressure tester I would do a pressure test cold to verify that it is the cover.
Feb 10, 2020 at 9:37 AM
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MARK KOON
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Well, I'm not sure what happened but about an hour after I emailed that question to you it stopped and after a 30 mile drive this morning it still isn't leaking ... Thanks for your response.
Feb 10, 2020 at 9:51 AM
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BMDOUBLE
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Good deal! Just keep an eye on it!
Feb 10, 2020 at 9:53 AM