Reddish Fluid leak help?
 

I was replacing my air filter today when I noticed this reddish fluid leaking from the engine a little to the right of the oil filter and behind the belt. it looks like coolant, but I am not 100% sure. I wanted to run it by some more mechanic savvy people before I took it in to get it looked at. Just curious as to the seriousness of the leak and if it something I might be able to fix at home. I have done a few repairs myself, but nothing involving the engine. I have a 2009 2 door 3.8L engine and 6 speed manual transmission. I tried to take a picture of it but was kind of hard reaching down and snapping the photo. Thanks for all the help!
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Coolant leak for sure. Without seeing it myself I would have to take a guess and say water pump.

If you do the work make sure to replace with HOAT coolant

I think you're right. I went to go take a second look and I'm pretty sure it is the water pump. Doesn't look like it is leaking too fast though cause my coolant is still full. Do you think I will be okay driving it to work (about a couple miles to and from work) for 2 more weeks until I get paid? Thanks for replying.

Reddish Fluid leak help?
 

I'd drive it, just keep an eye on the coolant level.

^this.

And for sure you replace with HOAT coolant, which is orange pink colour. Have a peak in your overflow coolant bottle, with a flashlight to get familiar with the color.

While you are there note the level, hot and cold

Water pumps are kind of common on the 3.8L, a few threads here, even a good how to write up by a Doctor.

As Jeepers we are always "keeping an eye on something" educates you on how your jeep works, and helps prevent other issues. Case in point the OP was under the hood changing a filter when pink fluid was noted....I call that a nice catch to prevent a problem down the road.

Can't say for certain that I've actually read that one, but every write-up/video I saw said to drain radiator. You don't need to (but if you're near 100K miles and haven't replaced the coolant, you may want to). Place a catch pan on a tarp below the water pump. Loosen the bottom two bolts, but do not remove. Remove all other bolts. Pry top of pump forward to drain fluid into catch pan. You'll get a cup or two. When draining stops pull pump and install new one. Replace fluid lost with fresh Mopar HOAT antifreeze from Chrysler (no universal stuff; no OAT!!!). Rest of steps from online references should be fine.

Easy job to do rather then having stealership do, here are a couple pics from my 2008 that I had replaced water pump at 55K

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Removing tension to remove the serpentine belt, went ahead and changed with a new one.


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Need a strap wrench to hold pulley to loosen and remove pulley bolts.

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Typical leaking water pump.

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Not to make a mess when draining radiator, attached a piece of flexible tube to drain plug. Note drain plug is on the passenger side of the radiator (RH), access able from the front of the jeep.

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Radiator Drain Plug

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Sucked out the residual fluid from the overfill container.

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Water pump removed.

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New water pump installed.

^^thanks for the post, very helpful

I can't figure out how to copy and past a thread on my tablet...haha

You can use the search feature I found it by searching Water pump replacement....Under jk write ups' OP is Dr Mcninja

It's a thread that dates back to 07 or 08 something like that

Water pump.....
I had mine go at just under 100,000 in my 08

I'm not near 100k miles yet. Surprisingly low miles on this one when I bought it a year ago (I'm only at 41k miles). But anything I can do to help or increase the life of the engine I am willing to do. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but where can you find Mopar HOAT antifreeze? Seems like everyone can agree that this is the proper way to go so I definitely want to switch out what I have for it. Thanks for the info!