Water is leaking from somewhere, actually dripping off the rear portion of the oil pan... also off of the oil pan somewhat further. In the past it was easy to see where the water was flowing from and to replace whatever failed. This time, other than seeing it is dripping off the oil pan, I have no idea where the actual leak is. I did replace the water pump about 20 years ago and thought that was it, BUT if so this time, it is not obvious! I finally went into it... removed the blade guard, the centrifugal unit and blade assembly, and the upper water hose to give me a good view of the engine, the remaining bottom hose hook up, and the existing water heater hoses are in plain view.

Waiting until the dripping at the oil pan stopped, I then added water to the radiator until it became visible within the open thermostat housing on an obvious angle, at which time the dripping started again at the bottom rear portion of the oil pan... and obviously began to recede at the thermoset opening. I have a clear view of the water heater hoses at the firewall, at the water pump area, and of the small hose that leads to the top area of the butterfly bousing and also of the remaining hose leading to the bottom of the radiator. Nothing is leaking in those areas... however water is leaking from somewhere!

I attached three paper towels that were grouped together as a flat tube and with the help of a "Mechanics" Helper, placed them between the engine and the firewall to see if there was any leakage somehow in that area. There was no sign of water in that area.

Is it possible that there is a sealing washer (Freeze Out Plug) at the rear of that 302 engine that started to leak ever so slightly, and I missed it with the paper towels, a hidden hose that I'm not aware of? Something hidden under the intake manifold where leakage could occur?

Another thought... although the truck is on a slight angle (nose down), could it be that the back (unseen) portion of the water pump is leaking, the area of the engine underneath the intake manifold filling with water and then dripping down the back of the engine? I have noticed that when the radiator is full, there is some dripping under the forward portion of the engine. (Driving me nuts!)

 

Hi Joe,
What I would do with this situation is, use a cooling system pressure tester. Pump the pressure up to the number on the radiator cap and watch where it actually leaks.
It won't take long and you will be able to trace it back to the source.

 

Hi Hanky... Glad to see that you're still with the site as I am with the living... hit age 92 last August 6th... still working on the vehicles, got to... anything older than 10 years old around here, they can't find the tail lights!

That's a good idea you mentioned, thank you. Unfortunately I need to put it all back together first (new w/pump, radiator, etc) and will try it then if the leak still persists. I'm counting on the top rear portion of the water pump leaking in such a manner to have the water traveling under the intake manifold to the oil pan via the back of the engine. If it still leaks via your test (Pressurizing the cooling system) in a area I can't get to, I'll go the "Bars Leak" route. That stuff has proven itself to me many times in my younger days. Got a bunch of stuff ordered, I'll keep you updated.

 

You know us Leo folks can handle anything.
Most folks have no idea they were putting that stuff in cooling systems right on the assembly line.

Let us know how you make out with this, thanks.

 

If coolant leaking and dripping from the passenger side of the oil pan, but not the driver side, check the freeze plugs.
Your truck doesn't need to be driven or under pressure.
Check this: https://www.fordforum.com/forum/ford...-intake-49574/

 

Heiko.... The problem is that the water, as stated, is dripping from the "Flat Back Portion" of the oil pan, and other than that, I cannot determine where the origin of the leak is.

As stated to Hanky, I am now wondering....... Although the vehicle is on a slight nose down angle, I'm counting, wondering about on the top rear portion of the water pump leaking in such a manner to have the water building up, traveling under the intake manifold to the oil pan via the back of the engine. Do you think that's possible?

 

Which flat back portion, any pic to show us?

 

Heiko....... If you were standing in back of the vehicle and there was nothing between you and the oil pan, you would be looking at the back of the oil pan which is flat.

 

If it's only leaking from the back between your oil pan and tranny, not on the right or left at all, you should have 2 freeze plugs on the back, will need to drop the tranny to get to them.

 

That question was in my very first post insert.... "Is it possible that there is a sealing washer (Freeze Out Plug) at the rear of that 302 engine that started to leak ever so slightly, and I missed it with the paper towels?"
Apparently that was overlooked?