I hate to bore you fine folks with such matters, but I have a question for the masses. My water pump lost it's bearings and went floppy on me the other morning whilst headed to work. No problem. I was right at an exit when it happened and the truck never had a chance to even run hot. I got it towed the 5 miles back home, drove my Bronco to work, and replaced the water pump that afternoon. The problem is that ever since I replaced the water pump I have a pretty major oil leak on the front of the engine. I know about the quirks of timing chains rubbing holes in water pumps and what not, but did I miss something regarding a relationship between the water pump and a potential oil leak? This engine only has 162,000 on it and had no leaks whatsoever until the water pump fiasco. Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

Which area exactly on the engine?Can you get any Pics?

 

If I'm not mistaken, several of the water pump bolts double as timing cover bolts too.

Now I don't know exactly how it could have started leaking, but my guess is a loose bolt, a bolt without rtv on it, or possibly an over-tightened bolt that cracked the timing cover. Or maybe if it isn't cracked, the gasket got ripped or something.

Hopefully its something simple though, pulling the timing cover is a very big job. I would know, I just got done with it.

You're going to have to clean the engine and figure out exactly where the leak is coming from...

 

I'm going to clean it up real good this afternoon and see if I can get a better idea. All that I can tell at this point is that it is somewhere behind the water pump and below the head and leaks about a quart every 30 miles, lol. Thanks for the feedback.......

 

Okay, after a serious cleaning, all I can tell is that it is coming from below the water pump, driver side, and above the crank pulley. I have NEVER seen this much oil pour from a vehicle without a hole being in the side of it somewhere. I know my way around a F@#d engine pretty well, so I'm searching on the Yota for a bolt, plug, or something missing or not fitting right to cause such a leak. The engine purrs along and idles too good for something TOO wacky, imho. Thanks again for any input..
Steve

 

The oil appears to be coming from around the bolt that holds the timing indicator dealie onto the front of the oil pump housing, behind the crank pulley. I have no idea why it started, but there ya go. I'm assuming that this bolt runs through the oil pump housing and is plugging a major artery of an oil passage (judging from the amount of volume there). Anybody familiar with this bolt? Looks like I'll be pulling the front of the engine off at this point.........

 

oil pump seal

when you replace it, get one with a different thickness so that it wears in a new spot on the crank or polish the old part so that the new seal has a 'new place' to ride.
search for more details on removing the crank pulley bolt

 

Thank you, and I have to agree with you now that I have the shroud and fan out of the way and can see exactly what's going on. The crank pulley just slings the oil everywhere as it come out, leaving a lovely effect all underneath the hood, lol.

In your opinion, is it best just to go ahead and get a whole new Melling or B/A pump instead of trying to reseal this one? Anybody?

Once again, I do appreciate the input....
Steve