Car is leaking coolant bottom radiator hose

FRANKLAYFIELD0205

MEMBER
1990 DODGE DYNASTY
3.0L
V6
FWD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

Metal pipe coming from back of water pump to driver side of the motor under intake manifold corroded through or o-ring on the water pump housing leak.

My car is leaking water where the bottom radiator hose is connected but it don't look like its the hose end. It looks like the leak is further back than that. If the pipe is corroded through, how do I fix it? Do I have to replace the pipe? If so what do I have to do get it off? Is it something I can fix myself at my house, because I don't have the money to take it to a shop and I need it fixed right away?

I'm pretty good at fixing things. I just need a few instructions and a little advice to get me started. If its the o-ring in the water pump housing what do I gave to do to fix it? Do I have to remove the timing belt cover and remove the water pump? I have just recently put a new timing belt on the car and I done it all right here in my yard with the help of my computer.

And how do I tell if its the metal pipe corroded through or the o-ring in the water pump housing?

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Please reply back to this post. When you post a new question, I might not see it, and no one else will want to jump into the middle of an on-going conversation.

The only way to tell which is leaking is to remove the pipe and look at it. It's held on with one bolt through a tab welded to it. That tab is near where the rubber hose attaches. Remove the hose and clamp, remove the bolt, then wiggle and pull on the pipe. They usually don't come out very hard.

I don't know if you'll be able to find that pipe at the dealer's parts department. It is possible because that engine was used for many years. If they say it's no longer available, you'll have to find one in a salvage yard. The pipe is the same on all the 3.0L engines used in all the car and minivan models.