ted_pulliam

There is a lot of (water?) under the water pump on the front of the engine. I suspect it is coming from the water pump weep hole.

Truck has 197000 on it now and I recall that there has been some water there since I bought the truck with 153,000 miles. There is enough there to where it drips onto the concrete when the truck is parked. It seems like the amount has increased. Is this normal weepage or do I need to hurry up and replace the water pump?

The coolant temps are fine and I put a new 190 degree thermostat on a while back. The temp guage ranges anywhere from 155 - almost 190.

BTW, as best as I can tell the leak is not coming from the head gasket. I recently replaced that. The coolant level in the resoirvoir is holding steady at the full line after the engine is run, so there is not enough leakage to damage the engine but there is enough to drip!

Thanks for any help.

Ted

klx650a2

Regarding the temp ranges, the thermostat should hold the temps at 190 and not move. Or if it does move, only slightly. Where did you get the thermostat? I had the same issue, running cold and temps swinging, then I bought mine from Cummins, after the install it warmed up to 190 and sat there. That was on my old truck.

ted_pulliam

It is the Cummins 190 degree thermostat. I didn't mention but during 6th gear driving it doesn't swing but holds steady, but in stop and go driving it does swing some, more in the 1st 5 - 10 minutes of driving then not quite as much.

I was thinking this was normal even for the 24v, since my 2 previous 1997 12 valvers (180 degree thermostat) did that. When I have driven the truck the top of the valve cover can be hot enough to where it is uncomfortable to touch, even though the temp gauge is <= 190 degrees. I don't know if that is normal, but I suspect it is since the cylinder head will always be one of the hotter parts of the engine since it has the exhaust manifold on one side.

Ted

77machomopar

i think its the water pump. they will weep when they start going bad, out of a small hole on the bottom of the pump

ted_pulliam

Thanks! I guess it is giving me ample warning. I don't want to be in traffic one day if it decides to let go completely, so I am thinking I will replace it ASAP. With 197,000 miles and this leakage it can't hurt.

Should I go with the genuine (made in China?) replacement or is Autozone or one of those guys an acceptable choice? How much is the 24 valve water pump?

Ted

DIESELWRKS

they are not that much $ check your local cummins dealer. stay away from the ***********. try www.rockauto.com, I have used carquest, and Napa before. or orieilly auto parts. get something with a warranty. alot of them have lifetime. good idea to check the belt while you have it off. when I changed mine I just slowly opened it up 2 bolts had a huge catch pan you loose some green juice but if your quick enough you can put the new one back in and save some juice. if I remember its with a o-ring. good luck

ted_pulliam

Thanks, I will check out rockauto. I replaced the belt about 3 months ago, but I will give it a check when I swap the water pump.

I like your truck! If I may ask, what kind of bumper is that?

Ted

77machomopar

rockauto has a cummins water pump its $54. not bad i think

DIESELWRKS

homemade learning to weld and old retired union worker was helping I have more pic's of it on a thread awhile back search homemade bumper.

ted_pulliam

That is a good price. I'll get one on order.

Ted

ted_pulliam

I'll check this out. That's some awesome welding! I have hobby welder that I've been using to cut out and replace the rotted metal on an old vw bug with.

I might draft some plans and make my own bumper. Those pre-fabbed ones are crazy expensive.

Again, nice work!

Ted