[CHeinze1]

Looking for some help with this one...

2006 Xterra
4.0 V6
198k miles

I have coolant leaking on the driver's side on my engine. It looks like it is coming from the seam between the block and the timing cover. To my knowledge, there shouldn't be coolant there... I was thinking it could be from a bad gasket/o-ring on the water pump, causing it to leak into the timing housing cover area. I dismounted the AC compressor to see behind, and the only thing I found was coolant along the seam between the timing cover and the block. The area around the thermostat is dry. The area around the access for the water pump is dry. None of the lines are bad. I can't quite figure this one out. I havent removed the water pump yet, as that is a lot of work, on a mediocre hunch.

Have any of you experienced a similar issue?

 

[XC20]

I know there’s an engine coolant block drain around there.

 

[Xtererer]

It's your water pump. Pretty much the only thing it could be in that area. I did mine at 90k. Either the Coolant side O-ring has failed or the internal bearing seals (probably this w/ your mileage). I'd also do a new timing chain tensioner at the same time. I had to remove mine to get enough slack on the chain for water pump removal and the rubber o-ring gasket was cracked in several places.

 

[Jard]

Pics can us to help you too.

Do you have any oily milkyness to your oil fill cap or dipstick? Or radiator cap or expansion bottle?

Following the coolant up, where is the highest spot that you can follow it back to? Any coolant lines above the area?

I have seen quite a few waterpumps that look great, but leaked and you would never know it just by looking at them. As stated above, your miles are an indicator.

 

[RamTest]

Could be the water pump leaking. It could be a pinhole leak spraying onto that spot.
Within a few inches, you have
the heater return hose,
the throttle heater hose,
the radiator bypass hose,
the oil cooler hose,
the radiator hose,
and piping and gaskets for the above, all under pressure.
Clean everything up really good, and try to find the source.
You can also remove the skid panel under the engine and the driver side inner fender liner for increased access.