2003 Dodge Durango Coolant Leaks

ERICSAAT

MEMBER
2003 DODGE DURANGO
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
77,000 MILES

I have a 2003 Durango * Cylinder 4.7 liter engine. I purchased the vehicle form the dealer last year and with in the first month the water pump gave out. The dealer replced the pump. I noticed when it gets cold outside, below 40F I usually have a small puddle of coolant under the truck. When I start the engine it becomes worse, but as the engine warms the leak disappears. To put it into perspective I have had to put about 1/4 galloon of coolant in over the past month. This is not a major leak. I looked at the engine firs tthing in the morning and noticed when the engine is running and cold, the coolant is seeping out of the water pump where it mates tot he engine. What gives, bad pump bad seal or worse?

1 Reply

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello

If it is leaking where the water pump meets the engine then it can be a couple of thing.

First, I would retighten all the bolts on the water pump to see if any were loose. Lord willing that is the only problem.

If that doesn't work then it may be leaking due to a seal or gasket that is defective in some way.
If the mating surface between the engine and the pump were not cleaned well, this could cause a problem. However, it has been almost a year.

Make sure it is not leaking out of the weep hole below the pump, running down and looks like it is leaking where it mates. Most pumps have a weep hole a the bottom, you need a mirror and strong light to see. When the pump is going bad, sometimes anti freeze leaks from here showing pump replacement.

First check the bolts to see if they are all tight. Check for the weep hole, then you may have to remove the pump, clean and reseal.