Need Help and Advice

[DavidJR]

I'm a new truck owner with limited mechanical and electrical experience. My 2013 Ram 1500 is leaking and splashed some sort of liquid all over my engine and has a pee odor, any suggestions before taking it to a mechanic?

 

[kmrtnsn]

Sure you don't have a rodent infestation problem? No idea where the fluid is originating from? Narrow it down a bit.

 

[DavidJR]

Just went out and checked again, I tried to locate where the leak is coming from. But I wasn't able to find it, also its less of a pee smell and more of a fishy smell. Hopefully the photos give a little more detail, lastly i don't believe that it is a rodent problem.

 

[Lyle Longboat]

Front diff breather tube? Gear oil has an awful smell and the breather comes up around there as well. Well, on my 2011 it does.

 

[DavidJR]

I just took the truck over to the mechanic and was told that I need a new water pump. Only other question I have is how much should I be charged for something like that?

 

[Nick_rp]

Look at the hood padding. Open the hood and look up. Thats a good area for animals to nest. Warm and dry. Most people remove it all together because its supposed to be a fire shield but not a very good one

 

[Lyle Longboat]

Water pump? I spent $170 Canadian over here in Ontario.

 

[Burla]

Hemi water pump is somewhat of a PITA, I can see a lot of shops asking 350+ just for labor. If you are familiar with it I bet it takes 2 solid hours, but I can easily see 3-4 hours for average shops these days.

Just googled price this is what trusturmaech says... Totally nailed the price range imo.

Average Dealer price
$429 to 1020

Average Shop price
$312 to 727

 

[Burla]

It is however a very average DYI job, you can do this if you have the right tools. Nothing too radical, just have to remove a couple pully's, hoses, and belts and ops the fan blades/shaft.

 

[kmrtnsn]

Depends on the miles and which kit they go with. Changing the serpentine belt and worn idler pulleys is part of most waterpump replacements these days, $350 is really reasonable if changing all of that too, along with OAT coolant, which of course is more expensive.

 

[Burla]

I just took the truck over to the mechanic and was told that I need a new water pump. Only other question I have is how much should I be charged for something like that?

why do you need a water pump? whining or over heating? Did the mechanic look at it? How long did he look at it before he said it needs a water pump?