2014 Coolant leak above crank pulley

[doped304]

Noticed a drop in my coolant reservoir while changing my oil this weekend. Have always had a coolant smell near the front of the truck.

 

First thing I thought was the radiator  due to the faulty thermostat. One of my radiator tabs was cracked but I was unable to locate a leak. 

 

Then I noticed this ...

 

My guess is a water pump gasket or a crack in the aluminum waterpump casting? Anyone else seen this one?

[HeySkippyDog]

How many miles on it?

If it's got what I think it does, don't pull the water pump to change a gasket. Change the pump and T-stat while you're there, and use AC Delco parts. Some people just use the gasket, but I like a spread of RTV on the gasket on both sides as well. It helps the gasket stay in place while you put the bolts in, and I've NEVER seen that combination pop a leak on anything.

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[doped304]

34,000 miles

[HeySkippyDog]

It's also got 5 years of age, thereabouts. It could still very well be the water pump. I would change the pump even if it was only a gasket, just because.

The only thing above the crank pulley area that could leak coolant is the water pump. I have not bothered to locate the weep holes on this generation, wonder if there are any traces of a leak from them. It could also come through the pulley shaft if the bearing is on the way out, and weep holes are dry.

Hoses all good, no leaks? I have had radiator hoses with pinholes. Hard to know they leak until the engine is on.

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[HeySkippyDog]

I am operating on the assumption this is a 5.3L, is that right?

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[TRKLGND]

Do you even have a gasket?  My 2004 2500 6.0L was doing the same thing.  The water pump used O-Rings.  No gasket.  One of them had failed.  I replaced the pump, seals and flushed the coolant.

[HeySkippyDog]

Do you even have a gasket?  My 2004 2500 6.0L was doing the same thing.  The water pump used O-Rings.  No gasket.  One of them had failed.  I replaced the pump, seals and flushed the coolant.

The last time I did a water pump was on a 2005. The pump had a gasket, but the thermostat housing that was mounted on the pump had an o-ring.

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[2017Darkness]

Check the upper corners of the radiator for signs of leakage. Some of the 5.3's have an issue with cavitation from the water pump that causes radiator leaks and may have a special policy coverage.

[doped304]

yeah its a 5.3. i looked under the water pump housing with a mirror and a flashlight and could not see a crack or wetspot. I guess i will start with a tstat and water pump and if it still leaks a new water pump housing