nvr-enuf

hello everyone - I put a post on the emergency forum but no response yet. Looks like on my 2004.5 dodge that I have a drip, drip, drip, about every 5 to 10 seconds coming from the water pump. Why do you think it is leaking externally and does anyone know / think it will live for a 3000 mile trip?

Thanks
Scott

rockcrawler304

Its probably leaking from the weep hole which means it has failed (or failing) internally. I would not drive it on a 3k mile trip. That drip, drip, drip can quickly turn to a pour! If this happens while driving you most likely won't know it until its too late.

staarma

Yep, that weep hole is there for the exact reason you see a drip,drip, drip. It's by design so you can tell when the pump fails or is failing like said above. I wouldn't go 30 miles. It needs changed out ASAP.

Sur5er

If you have to, hit NAPA and get a pump. It takes less than an hour to do the job. While you're at it, grab a spare drive belt.

nvr-enuf

Is it really 1 hour? I did find a pump at auto zone - $52.

Does NAPA have better Pumps?

I can not believe 1 hour, if so - next time i see the cummins engineer I am going to hug him!

Looks like me trip will be post poned a day.

When you saw drive belt - I assume you mean serpentine belt?

Thanks guys for the reply

Scott

JP-4.5

You better hope he/she is cute because you will owe him a hug..

Sur5er

Actually the 1 hour includes prep and clean-up! Yup, serp belt. Since there is only one belt that drives everything, I always have a spare. The Zone is fine. I'd delay the trip about 2-3 hours if you intend to take a shower after you're done

nvr-enuf

Thanks guys - I will tackle the job first thing in the morning.

I used to run a coolant that was made for diesels - I looked at FLeet, zone, and advance auto today and could not find the coolant. Looks like all the coolant now is "meets all engines".

Thanks again
Scott

ctd4stan

Napa (if they still offer it) has a limited life time warranty on the pump. You have to keep the original receipt. Interesting, I bought one and 20k miles later, I had to replace it. At least it was free and easy to change.

I believe it was on this board that had a few other folks with a Napa pump and 20k later, it was replaced. Napa is cheaper than the OEM, but the OEM should last longer than 20k. The 20k could have just been due to a bad part. You can search the other threads and you'll have more to read

Dr.Dizzle

The third generation Dodge Ram comes from the factory equipped with a G-05 HOAT formulated coolant. I do not recommend using the so called "all makes all models" OAT formulated coolants touted as a "universal coolant" or any other non approved formulation in a vehicle factory filled with HOAT G-05 coolant. This dilution with non-equivalent coolants significantly reduces or eliminates the extended life properties. For example, If you mix a 5 year/ 150,000 mile HOAT coolant with an IAT (old school green) 2year/36000 mile coolant, you should replace your coolant at the 2 year 36.000 mile interval. Most importantly, the mixing of G0-5 HOAT and other formulations may result in unwanted compatability issues as they don't play well together.

Automotive coolants are readily available in three formulations. The first being the original Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT) aka; old school conventional green which is high in silicate content. Second are the Organic Acid Technology(OAT) formulations which dominate the shelves of the automotive chain retailers in order to save shelf space. They are marketed as Dex-Cool, Dex-Clones or derivatives of it. The last being Phosphated Organic Acid Technology (POAT) coolants which are formulated and specified for asian vehicles.

G-05 HOAT is the factory fill coolant utilizing ethylene glycol as it's base fluid. G-05 is free of amines and phosphates incorporating a robust blend of inhibitors designed to provide a high degree of corrosion protection. The G-05 formulation has been proven for many years in the european automotive market.

At the present time, there are four G0-5 HOAT coolants available. All of which are suitable for use in the Dodge Ram CTD. I find that the Zerex and Ford coolants are the cost effective choices over the Mopar and Mercedes offerings. The following list contains those coolants:

1). Valvoline Zerex G-05 Hoat -
Available in concentrate. The NAPA part # is ZXG051. NAPA carries all of the Valvoline product line. If they do not have it on the shelves or behind the counter, a store associate can order it for you. A quick search of the NAPA website can tell you if your local store has it available. A Valvoline representative informed me that CarQuest can order it if they do not stock it on their shelves.

2). Ford / Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant - Ford Part #VC-7A

3). Mopar 5 Year/100,000 Mile with (HOAT) Embittered (factory fill)

4). Mercedes Benz Antifreeze Agent - Part # Q 103 0002

I hope you find this helpful.

rockcrawler304

I agree 100% with above! Only use the G0-5 HOAT coolant.

FOXY005

I agree a 3K trip I would change out the water pump before leaving. 2 bolts easy off and on. I also did ithe thermostat and the upper hose while I had the system drained at 104,000 miles. Used NAPA pump ( lifetime guarantee ) and Hoat collant from Chrysler dealer parts dept.