Archived Need answer on Water P. replacement A.S.A.P

[SHobbs]

Checked the water pump weep hole today and I have coolant leaking out of it, so I know it needs to be changed. Will I loose all my coolant by replacing the pump or just a little bit? This would happen on a Sat. with no Cummins shops open to get more coolant. I won't put just any in it. I currently have about 1 1/2 galons in the tool box if I need it.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I'm pretty sure that you will lose most if not all of your coolant. I would attach a clean hose to the drain and drain it into a clean container so that you can reuse it until you can get new stuff.

 

[SHobbs]

Steve

Thanks for the help. I'm thinking if I can have the new one ready I can swap them pretty quick and minimize the loss. I only have 138k on the truck and really didn't expect to be changing the water pump this early.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I haven't had to change one on this truck yet but you most likely will need to scrape a gasket which will take time. You'll also need to get the new gasket on clean and dry otherwise you'll have a leak issue - that would be very hard to do with fluid leaking out of the block. I'd really just drain it and make it easier on yourself. I've always found that every time I've tried to take a shortcut I've cost myself more time in the long run but maybe that's just me .

 

[SHobbs]

Gasket? The book I have says the pump use an O-ring instead of a traditional gasket and sealant. Is this like the O-ring on the thermostat, no sealant is necessary.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

That'd be great. I didn't look at the manual.

 

[SHobbs]

Got it changed. Lost about 2 gallons, put 1 1/2 back in should be ok till Monday when I get to Cummins for more coolant. Steve, no gasket just an O-ring, I didn't use any sealer or gasket and currently have no leaks. There is a difference in the fins between the original and the new one looks like they are smaller on the new one, hope it does not make a difference in how well it works. The original had no gasket and no sealant either, nothing to scrape off, just get ready for a flood, lol. Steve, thanks for your input.