Posted: Aug 28 2008 at 5:17am | IP Logged

At the end of the long Minnesota winter my truck couldn't hold its anti-freeze. I had taken it through a car wash in March (Hey, it was free.) and that's about the time the problem started. Mechanic said I needed a new water pump for $900. I declined. About a week later the temp got above freezing and the problem went away. I'm thinking the problem was a thermostat that got frozen in place because of the car wash. 5 months later and the problem hasn't returned. The other day the mechanic swore it was the water pump and that it's a miracle it hasn't given out yet. It's been a great truck. 212,000 miles and I got 187,000 out of the original clutch. Still getting 24 MPG. What do you think? Thermostat or water pump? Thanks guys.

Posted: Aug 28 2008 at 9:35am | IP Logged

Thanks Danny. It's a basic 2 whl drive XE. I don't see how it could be the water pump since it hasn't leaked all spring/summer. I figure it's okay to drive 500 miles this weekend. But I will bring a cooler of water and some antifreeze just in case.

Posted: Aug 29 2008 at 9:58am | IP Logged

where exactly was all the antifreeze coming from?  Engine or Radiator?  It obviously sounds like you have something expanding and shrinking due to cold and heat. 

When the truck was warmed up in the cold, did it still leak?  A stuck Thermostat won't cause your coolant to leak, but your truck to overheat. 

I'm almost willing to bet that because of the cold your waterpump shrunk a little, and gave a little bit of room around the gasket.  Or part of the gasket material is gone.  And once it's warmed up, it expanded back out enough to create a seal. 

Without actually looking at your truck though, I couldn't tell you for sure.  But at $900, sounds to me like the mechanic is trying to take you for a ride.  All he'll probably do is just install a new gasket.