terry274

While changing the oil in my 1996 Ford F150 I noticed coolant dripping off the frame. This is a 302 V8 with 133,000 miles. I bought the truck used and I believe the water pump was changed in 2014 at 110,000 miles. (According to the Carfax I received)

The leak is NOT coming from the weep hole. It appears to be from the gasket itself. Researching this particular job indicates a problem with the bolts seizing into the timing chain cover and breaking when removal is attempted. The leak may be coming from the timing chain cover.

I just took another look, and I am 90% sure the timing chain cover is the source of the leak. This appears to be a Big Job.

Does anyone have any pointers?

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

if the water pump was changed in the last few years (it should be obvious) then the bolts should come undone.
If you're pulling the timing cover to change the gasket, you should change the timing chain and gears while it's off.
Not hard to do if you can follow simple instructions and to not do the chain and gears while the cover is off is one of those things that would just be wrong.

fomoco998

I would clean area good and get a loaner tool from parts store to pressurize the system and find leak source before diving in . Coolant leaks can be simple fixes sometimes . Leaks can follow mysterious paths .

AminoAcidTrip

terry274- originally posted
What did you end up doing? How did that work out for you?