i can tell you for a fact that timing cover will leak from the top, and will ussaully spray the bottom of the compressor with coolant. i have personally seen it twice and read about even more.

if you have 150k then I would replace the water pump, timing chain and oil pump while there.

but i would still find a cooling pressure tester that works, it would sux to do all that work and find out its a hose clamp or bad hose.

if you end up doing everything then $60 for a pressure test isnt a big deal.

 

Thanks! I ordered a new pump from BPUtah this morning. I don't want to play around with a coolant leak after spending $2400 on the HG's a few months ago. Wish I would have thought to spend a few more $$$ and had it done then. Maybe the past overheating helped cook the water pump seal.

OK, that said, I got the impression the water pump was the simple job and going into the cover for the timing chain and oil pump got a lot more involved. Is it mainly just pulling the other pulley's off? I've seen the video on priming the oil pump, etc. I just was not planning on going into the cover unless I saw evidence of a leak from there.

I'll keep digging for a pressure tester. I agree that is best to locate the leak.
Water pump is getting done for sure.

 

Water pump = simple

Front cover = not simple

Where I live the pressure test kit that Advance Auto has in its loaner tool program has the correct cap for the DII.

And drowssap, I don't doubt what you observed but when the front cover gasket failed on my friend's '04 DII and was pissing coolant it was coming right out the bottom.

 

When I get under the hood on Saturday, with the new pump in hand, I'll inspect everything - if not sooner.

Right now the way my drip works is I drive to get the temp up to 200+F. I park and after about 10 minutes it will drip 2-3 tablespoons then stop dripping.

If the front of the truck is slightly inclined, no drip. Sometimes when flat - no drip. But it only drips 2-3 tablespoons when parked, turned off and cooling down.

 

It's likely leaking when you're driving, just too little to be noticeable. You stop the truck and the system is still (somewhat) pressurized. It leaks until it's no longer pressurized. And if you're saying the leak is evident only when the nose of the truck is pointed downhill that may indeed indicate water pump. I look forward to your report this weekend!

 

So I know I've been smelling coolant for the last several months, it just started hitting the ground 3 days ago when I replaced radiator caps. The pattern was, if the engine is running and I am looking into the engine compartment, no leaks. Nothing hitting the ground. Nothing in the usual place. As long as the truck is running, nothing is hitting the ground either. Shut off the truck - nothing hits the ground. Go inside, come back 20 minutes or 30 minutes later, it is actively dripping about 3-4 tablespoons total. come back an hour later - drip stops, all done. Nothing until the next time I repeat this.

 

OK, I needed one quick because the new pump and hose assembly should be here Saturday. Got this one coming tomorrow.

 

So i found coolant from the weep hole. See bottom right of pic. Pressure tester comes tomorrow, new pump and hoses too. It did not drip yesterday so today I had to point the nose down and look. Kind of glad it was weeping from there. At least glad in the sense that if it was not leaking from there, I would be nervous where.

 

Now the only trick is to only remove the water pump bolts without disturbing the timing cover and you've got it made.

 

No, don't tell me that. I thought this job was supposed to be the piece of cake job. :-)

Ok, guess I'll be extra careful.