Coolant Leak - Timing Cover

[katman96]

I have a 1991 Explorer 4.0L and there is a coolant leak around what appears to be the timing cover. Is the timing cover part of the water way? Can the gasket be replaced without removing the water pump? What kind of a job is this? I cant really get a good look at this. Thanks in advance

[shorod]

I'm not very familiar with the 1991 Explorer, but I doubt there are any coolant passages inside the timing cover area. As far as I know, there's only oil inside the cover. I'd be more suspect of a leak in the area of the water pump or maybe even thermostat housing that is trickling down the front of the block and riding around the lip of the timing cover.

You may want to find someone with a cooling system pressure tester that can pressurize your cooling system and then see if you can better find the source of the leak.

-Rod

[katman96]

We actually did use a pressure tester on this to find the leak. Its coming from below the water pump from what looks like the timing cover area. Any ideas? Thanks in advance...

[rhandwor]

Its probably dripping from the weep hole in the bottom of the pump. I doubt if you have a cracked block. Look closer as a water pump will drip seal up for a week and starting again. You also have a bypass hose by the pump if I'm correct, they usually have one on a ford.