ctcost

I have a water leak in the housing nut that connects to the block (lower radiator hose). Now...From what I saw the housing is in two pieces...the 90 degree on the outside with the studs to connect it and what looks like a straight piece that connects the 90 degree to the block inside. The dealer told me it is all one piece is this true? And either way, is there any kind of a gasket on the inside he told me it was just metal to metal and to tighten the bolts.

Pic:

the housing nut it is leaking from is right next to that upper hose in the picture.

Thanks guys!

eric-the-red

What engine is that? On my 3.0 the lower hose connects to the thermostst housing and there is a gasket. If your's doesn't have one like they say I would drain the rad, take it off and put some rtv sealant in there. And don't tighten it up too tight, that just squeezes the sealant out.

Robinhood150

If that's the 3.0, my guess is the waterpump is leaking.

RTV shouldn't be needed for the thermo, if it does, something is wrong.

ctcost

Ahh sorry Eric it's a 3.0. The guy at the dealer said the only gasket in there is the thermostat gasket...The it is leaking right where that bolt is next to the corner of the upper hose in the pic. In fact it's coming from right under that bolt where the housing meets the engine; almost like all it needs is tightening...guess I will give that a shot when i get back in there again and keep it filled till then...Pump works fine...it is just slow leaking from that one bolt.

Thanks again guys!

jimbo74

the pump can still work and be bad, normally the part that fails on a waterpump isnt the pump stops spinning, its that the beaing cant hold water anymore and starts to leak

Robinhood150

See, mine did the same thing, I swore that the leak was from the thermo gasket. I even tried RTV there. It turned out it was the waterpump starting to leak.

Do a search for with my name, I think I had pictures of the thermo housing. Funny that your housing is metal, mine's plastic.

ctcost

K thanks guy and will do Robin....Just to be clear the water pump on this truck is in that housing that the lower radiator hose connects to? It seems pretty small to put a water pump inside. I have the manual though so I'll ck that too if just tightening does not help in the am.

eric-the-red

That's just the pump inlet, the water pump is behind the timing belt. It's a fairly major job to replace.

ctcost

Yeah saw that now eric thanks. The leak is at the inlet not the pump. Just a bolt loose i think...I'll find out in the am.

Thanks for the help guys!

ctcost

Ok it was the stud on the housing loose...no biggie after all but a PITA because i didn't have a deep 12mm...had to go pick up...waiting for engine to cool...Glad it was NOT the water pump which has less than 15,000 miles on it! THANKS AGAIN GUYS!!!!