something's leaking - help

[WTL]

can someone tell what this might be?  went for a short drive today and noticed a little puddle on the garage floor after i got back.  no previous staining on the floor, so it must have started while i was driving or after i got back.  stuck a piece of cardboard under the engine area to figure out if i can tell the rate of the leak.  any ideas what it might be?  Tks !!

 

 

[Loren]

That is the thermostat housing for the water pump.

[WTL]

5 minutes ago, Loren said:

That is the thermostat housing for the water pump.

But the fluid is not coming from there ?  Ideas as to where or what it is ?  Tks!!

[jchapura]

That looks like coolant (pinkish but white crystals). Does it have a sweet smell? Kind of slippery? How many miles on the water pump?

[WTL]

Doesn't have a particular odor that I can tell.  Kinda slippery  - more so than when I rub some of the antifreeze between my fingers. 40,000 miles on water pump. Getting close to my annual oil change too....

[jchapura]

My water pump went this past spring. Started out just as drips. Then over two weeks progressed to a puddle one Saturday morning. I think there's a consensus that they only last about 40k to 50k miles - some folks even changing them out preemptively. If it is coolant, don't leave drips/puddles out - it will kill or blind most animals and insects.

[rockhouse66]

At that mileage a water pump replacement would be good preventive maintenance.  Even if that proves to not be the source of this specific leak, it is time and the possible consequences of a WP failure make this an easy decision IMO. 

[WTL]

well, it was the water pump.  yikes!  expensive at the dealer!!!  getting it done today.

[JFP in PA]

 

1 hour ago, WTL said:

well, it was the water pump.  yikes!  expensive at the dealer!!!  getting it done today.

 

Everything is expensive at the dealer, which is why more people are doing this kind of repair by themselves.

[WTL]

right o.  if i had the tool and the time and the part, i would have too.  but, wanted to try and get in on the de this weekend and didn't have time to look for the part, the equipment and the lift.  maybe next time.

[JFP in PA]

It is a relatively simple DIY project.  Do a search, been written up here several times.

[WTL]

17 minutes ago, JFP in PA said:

It is a relatively simple DIY project.  Do a search, been written up here several times.

right o.  if i had the tool and the time and the part, i would have too.  but, wanted to try and get in on the de this weekend and didn't have time to look for the part, the equipment and the lift.  maybe next time.

[WTL]

Tks