Well, not a puddle yet but definitely losing fluid. 2005 Ram 3500 diesel 82K miles. Fluid (does not appear to be engine oil, power steering fluid or ATF) is dripping off the backside of the crankshaft pulley onto the front sway bar and to the ground. Not much color to it but but has a greasy feel to it like it was coolant. Also found a wet area on the bottom side of the top radiator hose. Is this the water pump saying goodbye? And by the way, where the heck is it? I can identify the AC compressor, alternator, power steering pump, idler pulley and belt tensioner. Oh, the coolant reservoir level is about half what it should be. Thanks.

Sounds like you are on the right track. Search YouTube for Cummins water pump replacement.

45Ricochet wrote:82K ain't to bad.Ric: Based on the diagram you posted now I'm not so sure it's the water pump. I know a water pump on its way out will typically drip when the vehicle is parked, but the wet spot on the driveway is appearing to the right of the water pump location. Anything else on the front of the engine that could be a source? I did look at the thermostat housing, nothing appears wrong there. My mechanic is a 25 mile trip from me. Would it be safe to drive it to Orlando, or should it go on a hook?

that's all you have up front either water pump or front seal. unless its the fluid leaking out of the fan clutch. water pump very easy to change I can do one in about 1/2 hour . oil leak don't tryunless your sure you know what your doing ... wait just thought of something up on front cover as looking at engine front to rear there is a round plastic cover/plug should have a spot for a 3/8 ratchet in the center, that is for acess to your injection pump this just screws our and has a oring around it. seal failed or loose, cant hurt anything by taking it off, just DONT touch the nut behind it that holds the injection pump gear on.I would check all but sounds like fan clutch as it has a viscos fluid in it should be no side to side movement

There is a coolant hose that is known to weep on the passenger side under the exhaust manifold at the back, just a regular clamp/hose that has a habit of leaking when it gets cool out.Depending how your parked it could run forward.

"Mystery" Puddle | Good Sam Community

blt2ski
Moderator
Nov 28, 2015
Even if you puked ALL the coolant at 70 on the freeway, you will have time to get to the side of the road or a semi safe place on the side to park to wait for a tow with out burning up the engine.

My first thought was water from the AC condenser, but if this is on the firewall like my GM's and wifes MB, the puddle is in the wrong spot.

Marty
thomasmnile
Explorer
Nov 28, 2015
The plot thickens. Yes, Cummins 12v, the coolant reservoir level is down. I added a 1/2 gallon of distilled water to it yesterday. The stains I noticed yesterday were directly under the front of the block, this morning the 'puddle' is directly under the water pump; guess it's enough of a leak while running it's slinging coolant all over the place. Contacted the local Ram stealership, predicatbly not a cheap repair, but I'm not feeling good about getting on the Interstate to drive it to my mechanic in Orlando, and not interested in paying to give the truck a 'ride' there. If the dumb thing let go at 70 and puked all the coolant out I'd be very sad...........
blofgren
Explorer
Nov 28, 2015
FishOnOne wrote:
45Ricochet wrote:

82K ain't to bad.

82k ain't too good either. :E

OP... Good luck finding your leak source. I think Chryslermastertech offered good advice.

Well at least he only has one pump to change :R

If you Google Ford 6.7L water pump replacement you will have plenty of reading that suggests they don't have the greatest life span either. And changing those 2 pumps will take much longer than 1/2 hour.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Nov 28, 2015
Are you losing coolant?
FishOnOne
Nomad
Nov 28, 2015
45Ricochet wrote:

82K ain't to bad.

82k ain't too good either. :E

OP... Good luck finding your leak source. I think Chryslermastertech offered good advice.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Nov 28, 2015
45Ricochet wrote:

82K ain't to bad.

380K+ on my 98 12V my Son has! Back when the pumps were US Made. Now they are ALL Chicom.
thomasmnile
Explorer
Nov 28, 2015
Alboy, MasterTech, and Chuck: Thanks for the info. Hoping its not the fan clutch or the power steering pump. Both have been replaced in the last 2 or 3 years; both replaced with OEM parts. The PS pump has the red fluid in it, what's dripping definitely isn't red. I noticed when starting the engine yesterday a chirping noise that lasts for about 2-3 minutes, but can't pin down where/which side of the engine it's coming from. I had read on a Ram forum sometime back of a pulley alignment issue with this MY truck (5.9 diesel). Anyone familiar with it, and if so, is that contributing to the problem with belt driven stuff failing? I've owned a number of vehicles and have never had issues with these items like I've had with this truck.
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Nov 28, 2015
power steering.. 04 and 05 Ram... the low pressure hose clamp.is known to rust/break... causing hose to leak.... and fluid is clear.. NOT RED...

unless some one replaced the power steering fluid.
alboy
Explorer
Nov 28, 2015
There is a coolant hose that is known to weep on the passenger side under the exhaust manifold at the back, just a regular clamp/hose that has a habit of leaking when it gets cool out.Depending how your parked it could run forward.
chryslermastert
Explorer
Nov 27, 2015
that's all you have up front either water pump or front seal. unless its the fluid leaking out of the fan clutch. water pump very easy to change I can do one in about 1/2 hour . oil leak don't tryunless your sure you know what your doing ... wait just thought of something up on front cover as looking at engine front to rear there is a round plastic cover/plug should have a spot for a 3/8 ratchet in the center, that is for acess to your injection pump this just screws our and has a oring around it. seal failed or loose, cant hurt anything by taking it off, just DONT touch the nut behind it that holds the injection pump gear on.

I would check all but sounds like fan clutch as it has a viscos fluid in it should be no side to side movement