I think my water pump just started to go. Heard the belt squealing a little, got home and found everything in the front of the engine compartment wet. Got a flashlight and can't find exactly where it's coming from. But, it smells and feels like GO-5 coolant. I can see a little of the water pump from underneath, but can't tell. I don't see a hose leaking, and there's a little clear drip on the front edge of the oil pan/crank pulley. And, the coolant recovery bottle is lower than usual. I'll have to bring it to the dealer because I don't have a place to try changing it myself.

My question to some of you who've changed your own is, if it IS the pump, what else should I have them change while I'm paying for the labor? The truck is an '05 and has 106,600 miles. I was thinking radiator hoses and thermostat?

 

It sounds like the water pump is leaking and is a very simple job to take on yourself. However, if you get a dealer to replace the pump, I recommend you have them replace the thermostat. I noticed that you mention the G-05 coolant, which suggests that you may have changed it at the 100,000 mile interval as recommended. If you have not performed a coolant flush, now would be a good time to do so.

 

Replace serpentine belt for sure, drain and refill coolant use red only 100K mile and a 50% mixture recommended 2 gallons distilled water and 2 gallons red coolant. Keep away from the made in china water pumps.

 

I just had to replace my upper hose (did the belt also, 1st one at 218K) because of a tiny rubbed spot that finally wore through after 218,000 miles! The darn antifreeze in there was kinda oily feeling to the touch so i was suspecting it had come from a Power Steering hose, spending nearly 3 days on and off cleaning and driving, trying to isolate the leaking spot, I finally came across it by chance. It was at the upper engine fitting, just under the hose at the wire loom cable clamp. The mess under the hood made me start thinking I had to start looking at everything on both sides of the engine.
Once the fan gets that air moving it'll make a mess of things and you might just have a leak in a spot you never thought possible.

 

maybe the lower rad hose too, while you are in that deep.

 

In for a penny................. Pop the fan and all the plastic shrouding. That will give you room to check the back of the radiator, hoses, fittings, serp belt, pulleys, idler and tensioner. Besides, when was the last time you got to stick your head in front of your Cummins to take a good look around?

Oh yeah, be sure to take the look around BEFORE you pull the pump and get coolant all over

 

Coolant, heater and coolant hoses, t-stat, tensioner, belt, idler pulley bearing. Also, there is a hose down by the side of the block that tends to leak, tighten the clamps on it. As said above, remove the fan and shroud to make extra room, and it'll give you a chance to check the fan hub to any play, or rough spots when you spin it.

 

Good advice above. I would definitely change the thermostat and coolant while the system is open. Now's the time too to have a look at the belt while it's off, and give all the pulleys a spin to check for smoothness.
I wouldn't bother changing the hoses though. They are generally considered a lifetime part these days, and don't cause the problems they used to. Unless you will be replacing them with factory hoses and constant-tension clamps, I don't think you would be any further ahead.

 

I had everything like you except no belt noise. Started as a drip or two first week then to coolant everywhere in the engine compartment. Too bad you don't have a place to do it yourself. I did mine in the front of my house in the street (parked where I normally do) and got it replaced in about a hour. Coolant replacement a bit longer. Not bad cause I've never replaced a water pump before. I know I saved a lot of money not taking it to the dealership. I fact I gained about a gallon to two for my mpg!

 

Spoke with the service manager late Saturday. He pre-ordered a pump, hoses, belt, and T-stat for Monday. And, it'll get new coolant since it's about due.

I used to have a house I could do this kinda stuff. When I got married, she didn't want to rent her condo, so we rented the house. Besides, my partner and I own a business and it will cost me more trying to do it myself. My days are usually 12 hours, so I would rather spend the money to get it done and over with while I keep working.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

It's pretty easy to tell if it's the water pump. Idle the engine and shine a bright flashlight at the pump pulley. If it's the culprit you'll see coolant spraying off of it. Here's a DIY.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...s-t300168.html

 

Get the belt, hoses, and clamps back from the dealer. Keep them as spares! If they replace more parts, with your concurrence, get them too! Some dealers like to replace everything, some replace parts as Preventative Maintenance as long as they are that deep, others charge but don't! Some have said the rad hoses are lifetime parts...........I don't necessarily subscribe to that theory. If they're doing all that other work and you have over 100K, do the hoses that are accessible!