Water Pump problems???

[VolCTD]

I noticed the other day small orange rust spots on the concrete under my truck, at the time I didn't think much about it. Went camping this past weekend and pulled back to the campsite the next morning only to notice a small 2" puddle under my truck. At first I thought it was oil or trans fluid because of how dark it was but come to find out it was from the water pump. Under the hood the was a small amount sprayed on the under side of the hood as well as on the air filter box. It hasn't leaked anymore since then so I've just thought it was a fluke. I checked the overflow tank and it was a little low so I added some to it. The water pump was replaced 16,000 miles ago under warranty by the dealer. My bigger concern was how the fluid looked that sprayed of the water pump, it was dark, rusty, and down right nasty looking. I mean I thought it was oil the first time I looked at it. It doesn't seem to have oil in it though. I checked the fluid in the radiator and it looks normal, pinkish & clear. Could the water pump seal have a leak? any ideas?

 

[MAllen1]

If everything looks alright around the waterpump and radiator, check the oil cooler. If the engines haven't changed too much between 99 and 03, it should be behind the oil filter.

 

[BEmmert]

Our farms 07 just lost its water pump at 32k and it did the same thing. Looked really nasty and did a good job of spraying rusty type water over everything on the front of the motor.

 

[TBartlett1]

Is it rust or the new pink antifreeze? If it's rust the system was not refilled with a 50/50 mix.

In that case a thorough flushing of the system is in order with a good cooling system cleaner.

I would flush it at least 2 times to remove all rust particles otherwise those small particles can cause your thermostat to stick.

I neglected my cooling system once and that was the result. I also installed a cooling system filter from NAPA to remove anything I missed.

 

[VolCTD]

Well that's what's so odd. What is being blown out from the water pump is brown nasty looking stuff but when I open the radiator cap and check it's the nice pink color. It is most defiantly the water pump leaking. I can tell it's coming from where it bolts to the engine block and the spray pattern is identical to when the pump died last time. I'm just real surprised it is having issues after only 16,000 miles. Should I go ahead and do a flush & change the fluid or take back to the dealer and see if they will do anything about it? It's completely out of warranty now so I don't know if they would do anything or not.

 

[MickeyMiller]

Sprinkle baby powder in the area around the water pump and around the temp sensor (my temp sensor was seeping coolant... took it off and reinstalled, leak stopped). Any seepage will show up clearly in the white powder.

 

[JBallou]

The rust is comming from inside the WP seal area, the pump has crapped the bed. You can ask the dealer about a replacement and see what they can do for you. NAPA has a replacement for $45, serpentine belt tool and 2 small bolts, a gallon of coolant and you are on your way. 45 minutes later finished.

Do not worry about the rust issue it seems to be a very common sign by others and myself.

 

[GColeman]

My water pump just went out 3 days ago. Exact symptoms you described. Once the bearing begins to fail, the shaft wobbles and takes out the shaft seal. It will spray crap all over and looks like rust. I is actually just the orange coolant when dry. Cleans right off with water.



Mine went out a 68K. I went a head and changed out all of the coolant.