Coolant leak - water pump replacement step by step

[Rob in ct]

Hello everyone,
Have a 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie w 56k miles. Have complained to the dealer from almost day one about a strong antifreeze smell in my garage that continued to get stronger and stronger. The were never able to find anything. Surprise, the water pump started leaking just after the warrantee was up. I replaced the water pump and made a video of it. Thought some of you might find it helpful if you end up doing it yourself. Here’s a link.

 

[retire561]

GREAT amateur video, complete with mis steps! Outstanding lighting and video quality. Much more work than I would tackle, but did appreciate your effort here.

 

[Sdhills]

Hello everyone,
Have a 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie w 56k miles. Have complained to the dealer from almost day one about a strong antifreeze smell in my garage that continued to get stronger and stronger. The were never able to find anything. Surprise, the water pump started leaking just after the warrantee was up. I replaced the water pump and made a video of it. Thought some of you might find it helpful if you end up doing it yourself. Here’s a link.

Hello everyone,
Have a 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie w 56k miles. Have complained to the dealer from almost day one about a strong antifreeze smell in my garage that continued to get stronger and stronger. The were never able to find anything. Surprise, the water pump started leaking just after the warrantee was up. I replaced the water pump and made a video of it. Thought some of you might find it helpful if you end up doing it yourself. Here’s a link.

Great video, a few choice cuss words would have made those hoses come off a little easier.

 

[mikeru82]

Yes, cuss words do help when removing hoses. So do these...

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Can't tell you how many cuss words have been saved in my garage with these tools. Not to mention hoses, fittings, and knuckles.

Also, I'd recommend against using adjustable end wrenches unless you have no other option.

 

[Snert]

Interesting, for over a year now I get a coolant smell both inside and outside. But it goes away , almost as if on first strat up you smell it through the vents.
Have pressure tested the system, held pressure. Took the center stack out and you can see the top of heater core, no signs of coolant. Reach around under the dash and under carpets, dry as a bone.
All hoses dry, no signs of leaks. Inspect weep hole on water pump, no signs of a leak. Never see anything on the ground either.
Honestly never looked at the underside of the pump shaft and pulley.

Coolant level has been stable as well.

Dealership told me one time the heater core was bad. Asked for the mechanic to come out to a seer some questions since he recommended replacing the core.
Asked if he visually can see fluid anywhere leaking from it or on the floor? He said "No, I just assumed since i can smell it.".....
Anske if he thought it could be under the hood and being drawn in by the hvac vents? He said anythings possible.

Seems when you fist start the truck you get a wiff of coolant, it then goes away. Very odd indeed.