Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Water pump

[BoeingDiesel]

Hello all
Question: We’re back in California until the end of January and at the moment I’m about 60 miles east of home. I just noticed some dripping from the engine and its coolant. The water pump is dripping when the engine is running and wondering if I should attempt the drive back home. It’s not a bad leak, just drips, but I’m concerned that there is a possibility the pump might freeze up or the leak becomes more than just a drip? I’m dictating this post over the phone to my wife so she can post on the TDR. Any thoughts recommendations are greatly appreciated.
gregg

 

[seafish]

When the weep hole on the WP starts leaking, it means the seals are bad on the WP. Unfortunately, it is also possible that the reason the seals are going bad is due to the bearing going out. If the bearing goes out completely while driving, then you WILL be stranded on the side of the road. I would suggest, as long as you are at all lightly mechanically inclined, that you remove tension from the serpentine belt and then spin the WP to check the bearings….feel and listen for either roughness or loosenes on the bearings. If there is either roughness or side play or end play, then I would definitely replace the WP before you head home…for anyone who is lightly mechanically in coined, it is a simple and straightforward swap involving two bolts and a new (ideally Cummins oem) WP. Some people first remove the airboix to make more room to access the WP. Either way, it is not a difficult job.

ON EDIT-- just noticed that you are only 60 miles away from home….I would still check for play in the bearings, but likely no reason to swap the pump until you get home unless you feel something REALLY wrong with the WP bearings.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

When the weep hole on the WP starts leaking, it means the seals are bad on the WP. Unfortunately, it is also possible that the reason the seals are going bad is due to the bearing going out. If the bearing goes out completely while driving, then you WILL be stranded on the side of the road. I would suggest, as long as you are at all lightly mechanically inclined, that you remove tension from the serpentine belt and then spin the WP to check the bearings….feel and listen for either roughness or loosenes on the bearings. If there is either roughness or side play or end play, then I would definitely replace the WP before you head home…for anyone who is lightly mechanically in coined, it is a simple and straightforward swap involving two bolts and a new (ideally Cummins oem) WP. Some people first remove the airboix to make more room to access the WP. Either way, it is not a difficult job.

ON EDIT-- just noticed that you are only 60 miles away from home….I would still check for play in the bearings, but likely no reason to swap the pump until you get home unless you feel something REALLY wrong with the WP bearings.

Thank you for the quick response. I will relay the info to my husband and specifically tell him to check the bearings.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Gregg just called and said there was no play in the pump and said that you would know what that means so he's getting on the 91-freeway west and coming home.
Thank you for the info and maybe now he'll get a new truck, but for some reason he loves that '99.

 

[seafish]

Glad that you got it figured out and he is headed home…. I WISH my wife would let me buy a new truck instead of replacing a $100 water pump…lol!!

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Thanks Seafish for your quick feedback. Most of us have been stranded on the side of the road and that was my main concern. I’ll be putting in a new pump today and might as well change the serp belt at the same time. I’ve been contemplating the new 2500s’ and the Hellcat challenger…decisions…decisions. I wonder what my bride would say if pull in the driveway with the latter?
Thanks again
gregg