Timing chain cover coolant leak

[Autooracle]

My 96 5.8 Bronco is just starting to leak from the timing chain. It just turned 100k miles. Water pump was replaced by a shop who was supposed to diagnose the coolant leak. They failed. Clearly it wasn't just the water pump leaking. Told me that coolant leaks can spring up after diagnosis and repair. The leak was never fixed! And the are trying to charge me twice to r&r the water pump to get to the timing belt. If anyone had labor times on replacing the timing chain gasket minus water pump labor I would appreciate it. Thank you for any suggestions on how to deal with this shop. I told them they will fix the timing chain cover leak and I will pay only the additional parts and labor to remove parts from the water pump to timing Chain cover leak.

 

[Autooracle]

Additional coolant leak came up immediately after driving the truck. It's slight but there.

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi Auto.., welcome...!

"Water pump was replaced by a shop who was supposed to diagnose the coolant leak."

1st) Did "you" see the waterpump leak B4 and/or after it was removed.? Meaning did you see the water track coming fr. the "weephole" on the bottom of the pump neck..? This would have indicated a failing pump.

With the pump leaking..., it's understandable someone could miss the "other" leak.

"Told me that coolant leaks can spring up after diagnosis and repair."

It's also poss. the work on the pump brought forth a pending gasket failure, behind the timing cover, a bit early.

It could also be a cracked cover that the re-torque unknowingly increased.

As a rule.., a shop may suggest removing the cover at this time to change the gasket & seal.... insp. the chain & gears for slop, etc. & clean things up. (Obviously, you're already there with pump off.)

"Thank you for any suggestions on how to deal with this shop"

It's called in the business.., "married to it"..! Meaning fix one thing & everything that fails thereafter is your fault..!

This may not be the case here but, go talk to them face to face & be calm.

Likely after the cover is removed & inspected, a decision can be made as to the 2nd leak & what fees should be paid. >-

good luck,

B