91 Dodge Dakota Coolant Leak behind water pump, trying to ID part to buy gasket.?

I have a 91 Dodge Dakota 3.9L TBI which has a small leak that I noticed yesterday. It leaked twice yesterday and then I drove it home today and no leak. It won't leak when I'm driving, only once shutdown it'll put out a small stream of foaming coolant. My problems comes in with identifying the name of the part where the leak is occuring.

My water pump bolts to a place which is roughly 1.3 inches thick which then bolts to the engine block. This plate covers the front of the engine block and many things are bolted to it, I can see a black seal mounting it to the block, this seal is what is leaking. Does anyone know what this plate is called so I can get the proper seal to fix it? I have a Haynes manual and they show it in one of the pictures but they don't identify it, I can't find it online either.

Holey Mufflers2011-04-30T13:15:44Z

Favorite Answer

so what you need is a t-gear gasket kit. the t-gear kit should include all gaskets. they know the pump has to come off to service the t-gears. so all gaskets are included. cheaper to buy kit.
or take it to a shop.
obviously, one would consider changing the t-chain/gears, water pump, and accessory belt(s). since your there.
---------------------
but there should be no coolant coming from/in the t-gears. unless you have a freeze plug under there. in which case oil would be flowing as well. i would guess the coolant is coming from the weep hole under the pump and is flowing off the t-cover near the block. look again with a mirror. as a water pump gasket set maybe all you need.

Country Boy2011-04-30T12:23:37Z

At this point I would suggest going to your local Dodge dealer to make sure you "make off" with the proper parts (seals & gaskets) for your repair. I know your frustration with Haynes and Chilton's manuals. They don't tell the whole story!

It sounds as if cooling system pressure is making it leak. How about considering a different radiator pressure cap with a 13 or 8 pound rating till you have time to scavenge the correct parts? Carquest always has a good assortment.

Anonymous2016-09-29T10:00:01Z

91 Dodge Dakota

?2011-04-30T12:06:56Z

Take your manual to the parts place, point to the leaking part in the picture and tell the person behind the counter that you need a gasket for one of those....

Mitchell2011-04-30T12:08:35Z

Pressurize the system first. It may be a plate on the backside of the pump,in which case just replace the pump.

Show more answers (1)