Irv

There is a water leak up by the water pump. I thought it was just a bad pump and replaced it. Still leaking. In fact, last year a leak formed and I assumed it was the pump going bad, even though I had replaced it recently. Figured that they do go bad from time to time. Bought a rebuilt one from NAPA (get the so-called "good stuff") and a friend installed it. It leaked. I removed it, cleaned it like you could eat off of the gasket surfaces, reinstalled with lots of Permatex, just in case. It still leaks. Not sure why, but it appears that the leak is not from the pump at all, but maybe from the head? Can't really tell where it's leaking, because there is so much water. Almost looks like it's coming out of the weep hole.

Is there some typical leak on these beasts that would explain this? I'm starting to think that the previous pump also did not leak, but we were fooled by another leak from somewhere. Ideas? Head gasket, maybe? Thanks.