1998 Dodge Ram Losing Coolant

1998 DODGE RAM
90,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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LACROSSEMAINAC
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I bought my dodge ram about 3000 miles ago. The bonehead before me put orange coolant in it so i flushed it manually about a week ago. Now I have a problem with it leaking entire reservoir of coolant after running for a bit. It seems to only leak after the thermostat has had time to open up and now my heat won't work, probably due to not enough coolant. don't know what the problem is its not leaking from any of the hoses that i can see. i just look under the truck and it is dripping off the center of the engine. I was told it may be the water pump. Where should i start.
Mar 30, 2008 at 6:44 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Chasing down a coolant leak can be a little bit of a pain when it isn't obvious. Get some good lighting, mirrors if need to and get it to the point that it leaks, shut the engine down and start looking.

The no heat is likely what you're thinking.

I assume you mean center front of the engine? Areas to check on the pump can be around the gasket, the weep hole on bottom and around the shaft. The hoses at the pump can also be a source.

But there are more areas. It may be coming from higher and running down. When you locate the stream, keep following it up and dry the area. Watch for it to return fairly quickly and keep going til you find the source.
Mar 30, 2008 at 10:19 PM
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