The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Water leak on 40 1.5T

Been working on our old fire truck for a while now and we have developed a new leak somewhere near the water pump that I can't tell where it's coming from. I have had the pump off and cleaned the area up real well and put on a new gasket. While running and under pressure, about 5-10 min after cutting the truck off I get a drip/stream for a minute or two on the front of the block near the pump. I have felt around the pump/block union and it is dry. Am I missing a weep hole somewhere or have I completely lost my mind? I did not replace the back plate to pump gasket so that is a possible but I'd think I would feel it when checking the area under the pump. Anyone have any suggestions?

Get under it with a very bright flashlight and look up. That is how I found a loose lower radiator hose clamp on my 250. Couldn’t find it from the top and it was directly under the water pump and I feared the worst. Ten minutes later and a new hose clamp and all is well. 🛠

I have checked all the hose fittings with a dry paper towel and each one comes back dry. The fact that it doesn't do it while running and under pressure has me baffled.

Look for the weep hole bottom front of the snout.
The pulley will probably cover most of it.

Check if the inside of the pull is wet.
If it is it's coming from the shaft seal

Tom

Tom is probably right! Also, the engine will a lot of times get a bit warmer right after you shut it off so, the pressure will build a bit.

A water pump seal will sometimes only leak when it stops in certain places so when you have pressure on the system, you might try slowly turning the pump a bit. Leave it sit a little and watch for the leak. There should be a stain running from the weep hole or other leak. A mirror and a light are your friends.