Losing coolant and overheated, should I replace the water pump?

ORAT969

MEMBER
2014 FORD EXPLORER
3.5L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
174,000 MILES

I have the vehicle listed above; it has a water pump that runs off of the timing chain. A couple of weeks ago it was losing coolant but no leaks, then it overheated a couple times. Then I noticed a leak under the vehicle in front of the oil pan where the internet says it will leak if water pump is bad, but I never actually seen it come out of the weep whole because it's hidden where I can't see it. It looks like the reservoir overflow hose is routed to other side of vehicle, but we drove it the next day and have been driving it for over a week and it's not leaking or losing coolant and hasn't overheated. I have been looking at the oil to make sure there's no water in the oil. Note: we also live in the desert it's 110 almost every day right now. So, do you think I need to change the water pump, or should we be okay?

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,748 POSTS

Hi,

I need confirmation. At the beginning of the post, you indicated it was losing coolant but there were no leaks. In the end, you mentioned it wasn't leaking or using coolant. Has it changed?

As far as the water pump, yes that is where you will see a leak. However, before I would be recommending going to that trouble to find it may not be bad, I would recommend pressure testing the system to see if there is a leak. Here is a link showing how it's done. You will need a pressure tester, but most parts stores will lend one to you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Also, if there was a point where it was losing coolant but you didn't see any leaks, by any chance did you notice white smoke from the exhaust?

Let me know.

Joe

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Thursday, August 17th, 2023 AT 7:18 PM

ORAT969

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Yes, I had to refill it after every drive, then I saw that leak then after that it quit losing coolant. I haven't had to refill the coolant in a week and no leaks. I also am not seeing any white oil on the oil cap or dipstick.

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Thursday, August 17th, 2023 AT 8:57 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,748 POSTS

Hi,

That is odd that it stopped. Make sure you check it on a regular basis until we determine the cause. An easy way to tell if you are very low on coolant is to turn on the heater. If it doesn't blow hot air, chances are it is low.

As far as the oil is concerned, that's a good thing. It sounds like it was overheating just because it was low on coolant. Is it still overheating now that it isn't getting low?

Since you mentioned the oil doesn't appear to be contaminated, I know you were questioning a head gasket issue. Take a look at this link. It reviews the most common symptoms of a failed head gasket.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/recognizing-the-symptoms-understanding-a-blown-head-gasket-in-your-vehicle

Let me know.

Joe

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Friday, August 18th, 2023 AT 9:05 PM