coolant leak question????

[72TXSuperCheyenne]

Good morning. I have a 72 C10 with a 350 CI. Yesterday after a cruise to Home Depot, noticed a coolant leak dripping from the water pump/timing change cover section of the block.

I cannot see where the leak is but it is dripping down onto the front cross member. When I started it, the coolant drip became a flow for a couple seconds then moved back to a drip.

My coolant level is still okay so whatever the issue, it started yesterday.

I am not mechanically inclined. Have enough knowledge to be dangerous.

To my limited knowledge, it looks like a water pump gone bad.

Thoughts as to other likely causes?

thanks guys!!

[dznucks]

it may be the gasket on the back of the water pump. if you look there is a sheetmetal cover held on by 8-10 bolts. i think that can be replaced.

Mine started leaking there and i just replaced the whole thing, cause it had a wobble to it. water pumps are cheap.

I am assuming you checked your hoses, where they meet the pump. they have a tendancy to get pin hole leaks under the clamps.

[72TXSuperCheyenne]

That is possible. I'll have to dig in and take some of the stuff off as i cannot see where it's coming from.

The hoses all look good (tight and brand new).

My first fear when i saw the puddle was it was coming from the block so started it with trepidation and smiles when it purred to life.

--Jeff

[Stocker]

Try to clean & dry the area the best you can.... a light & mirror might help you see around the back of the water pump. It may be leaking around the shaft, which means the seal is bad and a new pump is needed.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

There is a vent hole on the lower part where the shaft comes out. With an inspection mirror look under it in back of the pulley. If there is coolant or stains from it around this hole the water pump needs replaced. Not a very hard job. If it has A/C it's a little more work then without it.

[72TXSuperCheyenne]

thanks guys, hopefully will have time after work this week to check it out. It finally cools down in Texas and now she is grounded... figures....