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LAD9DER
Dodge Dakota
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6/09/2004
22:38:18
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 Subject: Coolant Leak
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I have a 99 3.9L 4x4, recently it has developed a bad coolant leak. As far as I can tell it is leaking from the area of the water pump behind the balancer. When the truck is running I can see a wet ring on the balancer where the coolant is dripping onto it. The leak gets worse with increased RPM. I haven't had the time and money to take out the radiator, fan, shroud, etc just to get to the front cover yet. Probably not a coincidence that I just had the dealer fix my tranny under the extended warranty. Anyone have any idea's what could be leaking like that?
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Patrick C
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2004
01:34:39
|  RE: Coolant Leak
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It probably is your water pump. The water pump has vent holes in it that leak when the seals in the pump shaft are bad. My 5.2 Dakota has this problem, it doesn't seem as bad, but it hits the balancer and flings all over under the hood, and gets blown back by the fan. You need a new water pump, as do I. I will probably replace mine as soon as I can find out how to get the frigin fan off!!!!!!
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LAD9DER
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2004
01:45:42
| RE: Coolant Leak
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Yeah that's what I was afraid of. I haven't even attempted to get the fan off yet but it sounds like a real pain in the a$$. The big question is, once you get the fan off how do you get the balancer off? Might as well go ahead and change the timing belt while you are in there. I can't afford to take everything apart and not be able to get it back together quickly, walking to work would suck.
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well
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2004
09:38:28
| RE: Coolant Leak
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it may be the hose behind the water pump.
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you?
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2004
11:50:40
| RE: Coolant Leak
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you dont have a timing belt
the harmonic balancer doesnt have to come off
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93Dak
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2004
12:43:35
| RE: Coolant Leak
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You need a strap wrench to hold the hydraulic clutch while you put a big crescent wrench (or the right size box end wrench if you have it) on the big nut. Everything else is pretty easy to get off. This is a good time to change the timing chain though.
If you only replace the water pump, you do not take the harmonic damper off... However, the timing chain cover is right behind the water pump, so if you need a new chain, this is the time to do it.
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Patrick C
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2004
16:48:52
| RE: Coolant Leak
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If your 3.9 is like my 5.2 (which I'm sure it is), the water pump pulley is pressed onto the water pump, you'll need to get the pump to a place that will press the pulley off the old pump and press it onto the new one. That is of course, if it is the water pump that needs replaced. I don't want to sound like I am diagnosing your problem or anything, just thoses are the same symptoms I have, and I am going to replace my water pump. In addition to the leakage, my WP pulley is wobbling pretty badly, so I am almost positive that in my case, it is the pump. As for getting the fan off, so far I've had mixed results. Some people say to just wrench on the retaining nut and it'll come right off, others say I need a special spanner wrench to hold the pulley while I loosen the nut. I feel your pain on getting it done quick, I'm going through the same problems, and this is my one and only vehicle.
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LAD9DER
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2004
23:50:12
| RE: Coolant Leak
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Ok so all I need to do is drain the system, remove the fan shroud and break the nut behind the fan free, which is a reverse thread,and unbolt the old pump.Do I need to get a shop to pull the fan off and press it onto the new pump or is there another way to do it? how about the balancer does it just come off? i am moderately mechanically inclined I just haven't ever really messed with this truck yet, My local parts store's don't stock the Haynes or Chilton's manuals for it so I am kind of going at this blind. If anyone knows where to go online for the manual or a tech website that would be great. thanks - ladderco9ffemt.
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Patrick C
Dodge Dakota
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6/12/2004
13:36:49
| RE: Coolant Leak
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Just installed my Flow Kooler water pump last night. I had to remove the alternator, AC compressor, and brackets to get at the bypass hose. Good news is if you get all of that crap off there is plenty of room to work. Unbolt the old pump, clean mating surface, apply RTV to both side of new gasket, bolt new pump on. My water pump came with the pulley already installed, so that made me happy. The coolant return tube needs switched over to the new pump, it was a bitch to get out of the old one, you'll need a new o-ring for it. If I had to do it over again, I'd just buy a new tube too if it is cheap. I felt the need to replace my t-stat and broke a bolt on the housing, so now I'm in a world of hurt, and have to get it running again by tomorrow. The Flow Kooler pump I got at Summit isn't much more expensive than Mopar's, comes with the pulley, gaskets, and o-ring, and flows 30% more at idle.
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LAD9DER
Dodge Dakota
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6/12/2004
18:22:42
| RE: Coolant Leak
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Patrick - yeah I just got my new pump and it came with the pulley, gasket, and o-ring -I went with the Autozone lifetime pump since they are right down the road and I know a guy that works there. = discount. which is nice. I did the t-stat about 3 months ago. All I need now is somewhere to drain the fluid as I live in an apartment complex and they aren't too keen about toxic green ooze running down the street. This will probably be next weekends project since I have school all week and work. Now if I could just find my 12" crescent wrench. thanks again for the info
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southpaww88
Dodge Dakota
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6/13/2004
00:25:00
| RE: Coolant Leak
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hey guys..check the thermostat gasket before ripping off the water pump....t-stat gaskets are known too leak on these motor's before 40,000 miles...mine lasted to 50k..there right above the water pump and may look like a pump leaking...there is not a lot of room in the front of these motors....i like to check these when they come in the shop...9 out of 10 are leaking at the t-stat...hope this helps
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dodge
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2010
14:51:37
| RE: Coolant Leak
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i had the same problem with the leak. but i got a new water pump put it on and it still leaks. it leaks just as much as it did before. i put a lot of sealant onto the pupmp so i dont think its the pump.
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Jeezy
Dodge Dakota
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4/03/2010
21:24:35
| RE: Coolant Leak
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It's probably the timing housing seal. That's my situation.
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Ray
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2010
14:32:49
|  RE: Coolant Leak
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I just had the same problem with my 99 Dodge Dakota. Anti-freeze is leaking and a mechanic shop I take the vehicle to said it is the timing chain cover housing gasket that is leaking. They presure tested it and it is really running out of there. I just had the water pump replaced 4 months ago and they said they will replace again under warranty. Since I have 93,000 on it I am going to have them replace the timing chain too.
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What
Dodge Dakota
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11/16/2010
16:51:19
| RE: Coolant Leak
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What! A timing chain, you only have a defective water pump. To many people getting ripped off by so called A.S.E. garages. Cost $35.00 to change a brake light bulb on a dakota.
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Ray
Dodge Dakota
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11/16/2010
22:22:24
|  RE: Coolant Leak
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Well I guess I trust the shop. It was more than just the water pump. They claimed it was the timing chain housing cover. They have been doing my repairs for years and they have always been honest with me. The dealerships are always trying to sell more than is needed. They have saved me a lot on deflecting a lot of repairs the dealership has told me I needed when in fact I didn't.
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