Overheating, small leak underneath

I noticed some antifreeze on the driveway after my daughter came home with the car. I jacked the right side up, took off the pulley cover and used a light to see drippage coming from somewhere above the front pulley. Is this a sign the waterpump is leaking? I can't see it from above. I can only see the small drips forming on the front oil pan and right above the the front seal. As I looked up into this water pump area I could see a little anti freeze, therefore, I am assuming something in the pump?

If the water pump, what the heck kind of job is that? My book says removing the timing belts??? Who designed this engine??

Please check the pictures I took and uploaded to my gallery. The unclear picture needs to be clicked on for the larger photo. Note the green antifreeze that is leaking down. Is this coming from the water pump? I can't see way up there?

well i know my car was having a problem with leaking coolant and i kept filling it. Eventually it overheated and the head gasket blew. It was a leak in the water pump in my case...unfortunately it was too late for me. Until you fix it, keep an eye on the temp. and ALWAYS keep extra fluid or water in the car just in case!

well i know my car was having a problem with leaking coolant and i kept filling it. Eventually it overheated and the head gasket blew. It was a leak in the water pump in my case...unfortunately it was too late for me. Until you fix it, keep an eye on the temp. and ALWAYS keep extra fluid or water in the car just in case!


I had my car jacked up and still could not see where the leak was coming from. It only leaked after the car warmed up so I have to assume it is the water pump? The pictures I took definatley indicate it is dripping, however, when I look from the top I can't find it and when I look up from underneath to follow the leak I can see into the water pump weep hole. Either my eyes are getting weak or I am not looking in the right place. I plan on pulling the water pump this weekend. I also found out you have to remove the timing belts??

Anyone do this job have any step by step instructions, short cuts, etc?

Started to tear into this tonight. I have to take the crankshaft pulley off yet since I found out the timing belt covers won't come off until the pulley is off.

As I put this back together, I am receiving private emails helping, however, any thoughts on what I should replace while I have the front end of the engine taken apart? This is a car going back to college and I don't want to take the call, " Dad, the car is overheating again.

Also, how the heck do Chrysler engineers design a water pump behind all this? Water pumps are known to go out, put the darn thing where we can get at it. Planned Obsolesence, thats all I can figure.

Anyone know what a garage would charge to do this job? Water pump and just timing belts.

I know by your other posts in other threads that you have already DONE this job, but my mechanic recently replaced my belts for less than $200, and I called and asked how much extra the WP would be this morning.. he said about an extra 80, p&l, but in my case I have new belts so that wouldnt be an extra expense... so after doing some old-school math I figure about $215. Personally, I love to fix things, but those kind of jobs, I can earn more than that on my OWN job and still comeout with my hands clean (somewhat) lol.
Glad you got thru it tho:)

I know by your other posts in other threads that you have already DONE this job, but my mechanic recently replaced my belts for less than $200, and I called and asked how much extra the WP would be this morning.. he said about an extra 80, p&l, but in my case I have new belts so that wouldnt be an extra expense... so after doing some old-school math I figure about $215. Personally, I love to fix things, but those kind of jobs, I can earn more than that on my OWN job and still comeout with my hands clean (somewhat) lol.
Glad you got thru it tho:)


Yes, I got through it. I always make a big deal about things like this when I have to tackle the job. Once I finish it I feel much better (if the problem is fixed) The timing is off of which I will have someone tune it up later. Car still runs, however, trying to squeeze every drop of gas I can nowadays. I got a quote for $490 to replace the water pump and timing belts. It took me about 8hours spread over 3 nights.

Funny, it's only after I do the job and read other forums on how they did it, do they begin to make more sense.

Yes, there is no better teacher than experience LOL.
Im fortunate to have this mechanic. He does a great job at an affordable price, and is honest as they come.
Im on the road alot so time at home comes at a premium, and when my family is having car problems I feel good that I can call on this man to take care of it sometimes. At the moment my OWN transportation is up on jacks, however lol..