Water Pump service

[7.3PokesFan]

First off I bought this 02 F250 4x4 a little over a year ago. As soon as I got it I changed all fluids to shaeffers and put in the red elc coolant. While doing this I put in the dieselsite 203 thermostat and their billet thermo housing. Now I keep finding my red coolant all over my water pump and thermo housing. But when the truck is running I cant find it leaking anywhere. So I was planning on ordering from dieselsite a new coolant filter,waterpump and thermostat. Put all of that on there and see what happens. What do you guys think? Im about to go mad tryin to find where this thing is leaking. It cant be leaking much though because by degas bottle is still full so it isnt leaking allot at one time. Sorry for the long post I just dont know what to do!

 

[JDub]

It is pretty common for the t-stat housing to leak where it seals to the pump, if the o-ring gets pinched or something. We usually put a a little bead of Ford grey silicon all the way around the bottom of that housing. I'd check that first.

 

[7.3PokesFan]

Thanks JDub! I thought that it kinds looked like there maybe a spot where the housing meets the pump but thought it was just some that got thrown up there by the fan. If i am going to put a coolant filter on would I not be better off to just put a new pump back on to know for sure that I am good? Also on Dieselsites page it shows that my 02 doesnt need the neck that comes off the bottom but my truck looks to have it! I have emailed them several times with no response so maybe tom or someone could help me out!

 

[Tom S]

I will help you if a can. I think you are talking about the sheet metal water pump inlet tube. Some pumps have those as part of the casting.

I would also agee that the thermostat housing or where the hose connects to it as being a likely leak point.

 

[7.3PokesFan]

Tom do you work at dieselsite or have anything to do with them. I ask because I guess I took it you did because of the avatar. If I took it wrong I apologize. I trying to figure out who is who here! On the water pump the reason why I think I need that piece is where the hose hooks up to the bottom of the pump it is rusted very very badly and looks like its bolted to the pump. I dont know I guess I just need to call and talk to them!

 

[Tom S]

I do not work for Dieselsite I am just rockin that avatar now days. I also am friends with the owner the same as with several of the sponsors on here. I do not think that Dieselsite will have the part you want. I bet those are available from your local auto parts store or go to the sponsor section and ask the nice guys at Sunrise Ford for a price.

 

[7.3PokesFan]

Thanks Tom! I just want to make sure this thing doesnt overheat! Buddy of mine had a leak somewhere and he didnt know it, the dumbass also didnt check his fluid levels but once or twice a year, and it overheated and lets just say that I know where to get certain spare parts whenever I need em! I think I am just going to go ahead and replace the pump and put a coolant filter on it and be done. I may even go ahead and put a new lpop on it while I am at it.

 

[91turbogsx]

Are you still using the factory spring clamp for the upper hose? I had sorta the same leak you are describing and come to find out the factory clamp lost it's tension. I replaced it with a regular hose clamp and all was well. And this was after I swapped to a DieselSite thermostat housing as well.

 

[7.3PokesFan]

Yeah 91 I actually went and got all new clamps today and replaced them. So far so good! I know I am going to get a coolant filter is there a better one than dieselsites? Tom I have talked to the guys at sunrise thank you for recommending them to me!! I will be getting all my oem parts I need from them for sure.

 

[Tom S]

I think Dieselsite is the only one that does a coolant filter kit for the truck you have.

Tom

 

[Arisley]

And anything from Dieselsite is good stuff.

 

[7.3PokesFan]

No doubt about the stuff from dieselsite is AWESOME! I just wanted to compare and stuff I tried making my own when I first bought the truck but where I wanted to mount it wouldn't work. My father in law owns a 18 wheeler parts store so its been fun trying stuff from him on this pickup to see if it will work! Its also awesome that the Donaldson oil and air filters I use I get FREE!

 

[moose99psd]

put a pressure tester on the coolant system, clean it up good and look for the leak, you will find it.

 

[7.3PokesFan]

Im headed to town now moose to get a pressure tester to try it! Thanks for the advice! The wife took the truck to work today so I can work on her SUVriest: Im trying to talk her into getting a 03 king ranch with the 7.3 that the new shop I have been using up here has!

 

[AZStang]

Are you using the Motorcraft thermostat with the built in seal/o-ring? If that's not an option, the kit linked below comes with a much improved o-ring over the stock square cut o-ring. The dieselsite housing can still leak if using the stock Ford o-ring.

http://shop.strictlydiesel.com/store.php/products/73L_TStat_Ring

Shawn

 

[brewer]

Saw you just replaced your hose clamps, but I was going to say make sure they're tight. I just replaced my waterpump and switched to ELC too a couple weeks back.I had the same spots of coolant showing up on the top of my pump and the thermo housing. Checked my hose clamps, and the upper was slightly loose. Must've been dripping down and then the fan sprayed it on the front of the motor. It was tight when I put it on, but must've loosened as the hose adjusted itself. Realized it would only leak when cold, then the hose must've warmed up and sealed the leak. Tightened all my hoses once more, no leaks.