anti freeze leak

[darylnj]

97 concord 3.5 there is an anti-freeze leak, looks like it is coming from the middle front of the engine, not bad but a leak. mechanic says it looks like the timing cover. has anyone experienced a leak near this area?

[Ragtop_Renegade]

Typically a leak on the front center of the engine comes from a failing water pump. If you're at 100,000 miles or higher, there's a 95% chance that's what you've got. If you can, with the engine OFF and the key as far as you can get it away from the ignition, firmly grab the water pump pulley and shake it from side to side and push and pull in and out... if you feel any excess play, replace the pump. Inspect all coolant hoses for leaks, paying special attention around areas around clamps... cracks around the clamps on the hose ends will tell you it's time for a new hose. For stubborn leaks that won't show themselves, you can buy antifreeze leak dye from just about any parts store. Add the dye to the coolant and drive the car for 15-20 minutes, long enough to pop the thermostat and circulate the dye through the entire system. Park the car is a nice dark garage (or do this at night) and shine a blacklight under the hood... the leaking area will glow - a dead giveaway.

I've never had the chance to take apart a 3.5, but normally there isn't any antifreeze in or under an engine timing cover - only oil (with a timing chain, timing belt covers have no fluids at all). I'm not sure of the circumstances, but normally any decent mechanic would suggest inspecting hoses and gaskets, then the water pump, then a test with tracer dye, before comming up with a suggestion as wild as a timing belt/chain cover. To me it sounds just as crazy as saying it's the alternator or the tail lights leaking coolant.

[theFREAKnasty82]

if you have over 100,000 miles, Chrysler recommends that you replace the timing belt and water pump at 105,000 mile intervals. The water pump is run by the timing belt. If it's (coolant leak) in the middle of the engine you say, it probably is a bad water pump. Renegade ragtop is correct, the only thing you can't do, not without tearing apart the front of your engine, is check the water pump pulley because it's inside the timing belt cover. I'd suggest you get that replaced soon because if antifreeze gets on your timing belt, it shortens the life of the belt significantly and could cause belt breakage. Belt breakage on this motor is fatal b/c your engine is an interference engine. That means, if the belt breaks, you will have piston to valve contact and will have to have the heads pulled and the valves redone. When you get the water pump replaced, here are the items that need to be replaced alongside it, timing belt, belt tensioner, cam oil seals, & crank oil seal.

[Ragtop_Renegade]

Wow, timing driven water pump on a V6 engine. I never knew those existed, thought it was limited to 4's. Like I said, I've never worked on a 3.5 before.

[theFREAKnasty82]

Originally Posted by Ragtop_Renegade

Wow, timing driven water pump on a V6 engine. I never knew those existed, thought it was limited to 4's. Like I said, I've never worked on a 3.5 before.

your Concorde w/ the 2.7 also has the water pump driven off the timing chain inside your motor. It's a common thing nowadays for 6 and even 8 cylinders to have water pumps driven off the timing belt/chain.