2023-2026 Hemi Water Pump Coolant Leak TSB S2607000002

Owners of 2023-2026 Jeep, Ram, and Dodge vehicles equipped with Hemi engines may experience a "Hemi water pump coolant leak" or other engine coolant issues. Stellantis has issued STAR Online Publication S2607000002, titled "Hemi Water Pump Coolant Leak Inspection," to guide technicians in identifying and addressing these concerns. This bulletin outlines a comprehensive inspection process to pinpoint the exact source of any "Suspected Engine Coolant Leak" before replacing components.

Symptoms of a Coolant Leak

Customers may notice a distinct "coolant odor" or observe "fluid leakage under the vehicle." These are key indicators that your vehicle may be experiencing a "Hemi water pump coolant leak" or another issue within the cooling system. A significantly reduced coolant level is also a critical symptom requiring immediate attention.

Important Warnings Regarding Weep Hole Traces

It is crucial to understand that not all signs of coolant around the water pump indicate a failure. The bulletin highlights several important distinctions:

• "Some coolant residues may be found at the water pump weep hole plug area which may be normal, but coolant should not be dripping from this location."
• "The presence of coolant residue in the weep hole does not indicate that the pump is bad. The system pressurization test must be performed to make that determination."
• "If water pump weep hole has dry coolant traces, please clean these traces with a towel, and proceed with the Pressurized Coolant System" inspection.
• "If liquid coolant is observed at the weep plug or dripping from the weep hole during initial inspection or during the pressurization test, replace the pump."

Diagnosis and Inspection Procedure

If a "Suspected Engine Coolant Leak" is present, technicians are instructed to perform a thorough visual inspection of the entire engine cooling system. This includes using UV light to detect leaks, especially if the coolant level is significantly reduced. If the vehicle uses "MOPAR 10yr coolant (purple)," it will glow orange under UV light. If the coolant's fluorescence has diminished or if the coolant type is unknown, a "Leak Detection Additive" should be used.

The inspection should cover numerous components, including:

• Radiator
• Hot Bottle/Coolant Reservoir/Expansion Tank
• Front Cover
• Cylinder Head Gasket, Cylinder Block, Cylinder Head
• EGR Cooler and EGR Coolant Tubes (if equipped)
• Engine Oil Cooler and Engine Oil Cooler Coolant Tubes (if equipped)
• HVAC Heaters and HVA Heaters Coolant Lines
• Transmission Oil Cooler (TOC) Coolant Lines (if equipped)
• All Cooling System Hoses, Gaskets and Connections
• Water Pump Assembly, including the "Water Pump Housing," "Water Pump Weep Hole," "Water Pump Heater Tube," "Water Pump Gasket," "Water Pump Pipe," "Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor," and "Thermostat Housing & Gasket."

If coolant residue is found in lower areas of the engine compartment, technicians must inspect the components directly above to identify the leak source. If the leak source is not immediately clear, a "Pressurized Coolant System Inspection" is required.

Repair Procedure Summary

Once the leak source for the "Hemi water pump coolant leak" is identified, the repair procedure focuses on replacing only the affected serviceable part. Key inspection points and corresponding actions include:

• Water pump gasket: Inspect the joint between the water pump and front cover. If a leak or residue is found, replace only the gasket.
• Water pump weep hole: If active liquid coolant is dripping from the weep hole, the entire "Water pump weep hole" assembly should be replaced.
• Water pump heater tube: Check the connection for leaks. If a leak is identified, replace only the heater tube.
• Thermostat Housing & Gasket: Inspect the joint between the water pump and thermostat housing. Depending on the damage:
  • If the housing flange is damaged but the gasket is okay, replace only the housing.
  • If the housing is okay but the gasket is damaged, replace only the thermostat with its gasket.
  • If both the housing and gasket are damaged, replace both components.
• Water pump housing: Inspect the housing, including the area behind the pulley, for leaks or residue. If a leak is identified, replace only the gasket.
• Water pump pipe: Check the pipes connection for leaks. If a leak is identified, replace only the pipe.
• Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor: Inspect the sensor connection for leaks. If a leak is identified, replace only the sensor.

After identifying the leak source, technicians are instructed to submit a Quick Incident Report (QIR) through the Service Library system, including pictures of the leak.

Owner Action

If you notice a "coolant odor" or "fluid leakage under the vehicle," or if your vehicle's coolant level is low, it is recommended to have your vehicle inspected by a qualified technician. Reference TSB S2607000002 to ensure the correct diagnostic and repair procedures are followed for any potential "Hemi water pump coolant leak" or other cooling system issues.

NHTSA ID: 11028742