HELP! 2003 Is Leaking Coolant!

[Turbo Kidd]

I will try to keep this short... . My 2003 2500 is leaking coolant. I noticed that my overflow was very low last week, so I filled it up... . I also looked for leaks, but I didn't see anything. I live in Chicago and we have had a lot of snow, so my truck was already wet. Today I checked my coolant again, and the overflow is low again... . Now it is dry outside, so I start looking. I see coolant everywhere (Track bar, bottom of motor, by the injection pump, on the hood). My truck has almost 105,000 miles on it now, and I changed the water pump out (Actually done under warrenty) at 97,000 miles. I checked my hoses and clamps, everything looked good. The fan has obviously thrown the coolant around. I went by my friends house and we did a preasure check on the system. It was leaking, however, it look like it is by the injection pump, because it is now soaked? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I think it is definetly from the drivers side?



Please help



Turbo Kidd

 

[abrankod]

Did you check the coolant cap on the radiator? When I first bought my truck, I had the dealer install the Espar coolant heater, and when the techs released the pressure on the cooling system, they never replaced the cap properly... I only noticed it several weeks later when my coolant was low.

-Dan

 

[MMeier]

About the only thing that comes to mind would be the upper radiator hose, nothing else in that area. . outside of the head gasket.

 

[Turbo Kidd]

About the only thing that comes to mind would be the upper radiator hose, nothing else in that area. . outside of the head gasket.

I never thought about the head gasket too much... . I just did an oil sample and all was good. I have tons of power and the truck runs great? Could it still be a head gasket?

 

[wcjp]

Did you check the weep hole on the water pump?

 

[Turbo Kidd]

Did you check the weep hole on the water pump?

I did look for it, but was unable to locate it. Is the weep hole on the bottom of the pump, or on the side (Drivers side?)? If so, this may explain thins better.



Thanks!

 

[Turbo Kidd]

Anyone else have a few ideas?



Thanks!

 

[DE Jeeper]

Maybe a pin hole in a heater hose?? I have yet to hear of anyone with a weep hole on an 03 waterpump. Some say they have seen a leak through the front seal. It is easy to check the wp. Just pull the belt and turn the pump by hand. It should be solid and spin easily. Most are replacing at 120k, but I have seen some posts with problems around 80k.



Aaron

 

[GaryOwen]

My 03 had a weep hole at the bottom of the pump. Recently replaced the pump after I started losing some coolant. Had 450k on the pump, so I guess I had a good one! The shaft was a little loose as might be expected.



Sometimes hard to tell where leak is originating. There is a dye that can be added and leaks detected by using a blacklight. Might see about giving that a try. I would look close at upper radiator hose and radiator.

 

[Southbound]

Turbo Kidd-

The two places that come to my mind is the heater hose clamps and your over-flow tube that is right by your radiator cap. The heater hose that some of the other guys mentioned is on the passenger side of your motor in the back right above your exhaust manifold. The hose is silver and is about 4 inches long. The second place I mentioned (over-flow tube) is literally right by your radiator cap. What happens is that when inspect or replace your air-filter it is very easy to "bump" the over-flow hose making it loose. Note: I have seen this connection loose on many trucks ... . as simple as it seems to notice a lot guys DONT! This hose once under pressure will leak enough anti-freeze to cover your entire motor... ..... trust me as I speak from experience.

I would check both the heater hose and this over-flow connection. Note: while your at it I would add a small band-clamp to the over-flow hose to keep from hitting it the next time you service your air-filter. On the heater hose you will find a ton of guys in TDR who have experienced the same leak... ... ... . as I have!!

Good luck man!

My . 02

Southbound

 

[rbattelle]

About the only thing that comes to mind would be the upper radiator hose, nothing else in that area. . outside of the head gasket.

I was thinking the same thing. If you're sure the leak is concentrating near the injection pump, that's right below the upper radiator hose and right near the overflow bottle. I'd spend some time checking those areas very carefully.

Southbound is right - I found my little overflow tube leaking a couple years ago where it connects to the radiator cap neck. I used a little wire tie to cinch it down.

I doubt it's a head gasket problem. If it were, I think you'd have bigger problems.

Ryan

 

[CoastyAV8R]

Have you checked your antifreeze itself for condition? My radiator in my little beater car started leaking and when I checked the antifreeze, it was only good to 10 degrees and it got in the single digits and I'm sure it froze and caused a hairline crack in my radiator. With the fan blowing it all over, it will be hard to find exactly but if you pressure tested the coolant system and it leaked, it's just a matter of time till something lets loose and leaves you stranded.

 

[Turbo Kidd]

Update: After four months of back and forth to the dealership, two water pumps and a few hoses later... . My truck is still leaking coolant. Here is the kicker... . This started when I had 97,000 miles on my truck, I now have 106,000 miles. So, now I'm out of warrenty! I brought my truck back to the dealership, because it looked like my water pump is leaking again..... No, it is the head gasket! It is on the front corner of the passenger side above the water pump. Now, I'm ******! This should have been noticed and fixed this 9,000 miles ago when I was still under warrenty.



Wait, now I'm happy. The dealership has been very cool and tried to help me out. The head gasket is a strange beast. I have presuure tested my truck hot and cold and had it leak sometimes, but not others. The leak is so small that it drips right by the water pump without a mark. My dealership got Chrysler to fix the problem. I got a call this morning, Dodge is going to replace the head gasket, and the head if need be! I can't believe it! Something finally has worked out for me. Chrysler said that since it was a reoccuring problem that was unsolved that they will pick up the tab, minus the $100 deductable that I used to have while the truck was still under warrenty.



Is this the "New" Dodge we all hoped for? Is it because they are about to go bankrupt? Whatever the case, I am very happy.



Stay tuned for the final update... . I was told 4-5 days for the repairs.

 

[Southbound]

Turbo Kidd-



Great news on the warranty coverage... ... ..... and glad you found root cause. Hey you might want to buy a lotto ticket... ..... as it appears luck is on your side. ;-) Keep us posted!!!



Southbound

 

[Turbo Kidd]

Update: I picked my truck up from the dealership on Friday (They got my truck finished two business days earlier than promised). They did replace the head gasket, and every other gasket in it's way (LOL). I also has a slight seep from the rocker gasket, and I needed my valves adjusted, so all of this was a bonus.



However, I was told that my injection pump is seeping, but not bad at all. I looked at it, and is a little wet around the edge and bottom, but no drips. I also was told that my power steering pump is leaking. I checked that as well, and it is getting bad, so I will be putting a new one on this week.



What do you guys think about a seeping injection pump? Do I worry, is it normal, should I press my luck with Chrysler and see if they will replace that too (I'm sue that won't happen, I think I just used all of mt good luck... LOL)



Thanks!

 

[CumminsBu]

Doesn't hurt to ask. Fuel leaks can become dangerous, a weep turns into a spray, add hot surface equals no good.

 

[Turbo Kidd]

I hate to sound stupid, but if the injection pump is seeping, is there a way to fix that, or does it need to be replaced?



Thanks!

 

[Briman]

Regarding your power steering pump; Where is it leaking? Mine was leaking from the reservoir/pump junction. The reservoir mounting bolts had come loose and allowed the reservoir to move up and down. This caused the O rings at the reservoir/pump junction to get flat spots on one side and leak. The repair is two inexpensive O rings. It's kind of a bugger to get the reservoir off because you have to remove the power steering pump pulley to get a bolt out. I washed the area good and then it was easier to tell where the fluid was coming from. This may not be what's wrong with yours but worth checking out.

 

[Southbound]

Turbo Kidd-



On your power steering pump replacement ..... make sure to check the banjo-flair on the end of your "high-pressure" line that goes into the bottom of the pump. Obviously there are two lines that go into your pump but make sure you check the high-pressure line because it will crack right under the "flair" which you cant see until you remove the bolt holding the line. I speak from experience because on my 03 my line cracked which later resulted in a new line with the "weight damper" on it. Basically what happens is when your driving the pressure line will have a tendancy to vibrate based upon the way it is mounted. Over time the vibration will crack or stress one of the lines. Take a look at an early 03 and you will there isnt a "metal damper" on the line but look at an 04 and you will see the damper has been installed on the lines. Obviously the replacement came with the weight to keep it from vibrating. Note: This is the short story version... . I didnt mention the fact that I was pulling 9k and broke down in small town around midnight. Not fun!!!



This may not be the root cause for your leak but worth a look at.



My. 02



Southbound