Looking for some opinions on a possible coolant leak source. I had a leak rubbing down lower rad hose. I did the sensible thing and bought a new one. My coolant needed flushing anyway. I get under it and see coolant running down where it meets the wp. So I undo it and replace it. Fill it back up and burp it. Leak persists. Almost looks worse than before, can't tell until I see where the level goes after a day.

What are some things to look for? I shined a light down tonight when I noticed the leak and saw no leak on the sides of the wp or at hose connection. Block was dry as well

 

I prefer a worm drive clamp that actually has a smooth band where it comes into contact with the hose.
I think you can get them at Napa Auto.

Also the neck of a water pump can become pitted over time so you can ether replace it or sand the heck out of it to get it smooth again.

When it comes to finding really hard to spot coolant leaks you can use a u-v dye made especially for that. Glows in the dark using yellow safety glasses and a small u-v light sold at Autozone for a few bucks.

 

That leak is the water pump. Classic textbook case.

It has a vent hole for the bearings underneath, which when the seal wears out and starts leaking, water weeps out. Of course it also gets in the bearings with predictable rapid results. It's inside the pulley so it's hard to see. The water that leaks out gets slung everywhere by the pulley so you don't notice it too much while it's running, except maybe by the persistent coolant smell; but then when you shut it off, the fluid runs down the underside of the hose.

Just replace it.

I prefer to avoid worm-gear hose clamps altogether (except for A/C). The problem with them being, the rubber ALWAYS deforms underneath them, and therefore their tension goes away over time. The spring type, such as is almost universal in OE applications of cars world-wide nowadays, is MUCH better. Their tension stays pretty much the same regardless of the deformation of the rubber.

 

Thank you both, believe it is the water pump from what I could see today, what do you guys recommend as a replacement? This was replaced 4 years ago but has had some hard miles on it so anything that helps cooling