Help! Leak finder needed

[tomcatx5]

Hey guys, I have a '96 4x4 ext. Cab w/200,000 + miles. When it's ran long enough to warm up, when I shut it down I have a loud hiss and a river pouring out from what appears to be underneath the thermostat housing. I replaced the thermostat and thought possibly I didn't get it sealed good enough so I replaced the gasket again. Still leaking so I borrowed a radiator pressure test kit from the parts store. After moving the alternator out of the way where I could see good, it seems to be coming from under the thermostat. Is it the water pump? I can't see where it's coming from and I'm not crazy about replacing the water pump because it looks like I might as well take the front clip of to get to it. Ha! Anyway,
If anyone has any input it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ohiogrown]

Its most likely the bypass hose from the back of the water pump to the intake/block. If you're doing that I would highly recommend replacing the water pump at the same time. Replacing the water pump in that truck is about a 35 minute job. Knock off the fan, yank out the fan shroud and your about 8 14mm bolts away from having it off. Save yourself a headache and remove the entire alternator bracket. Once you get The fan, shroud and bracket off it opens up a lot.

 

[dodge dude94]

I concur with the above, likely a split heater bypass hose.


They can be a *****.