Well, over the last day or so after a little wheeling this weekend I formed a slow coolant leak. Come to find out today its coming from the water inlet tube atop the water pump. Found a replacment locally for $10.
The dilema it looks like the water pump itself needs to come off to unscrew the tube. And also to be able to put the new one back on.
Anyone have any experience with this?

 

Pretty easy fix sorta the water pump has to be taken off to do it and whenever I take a water pump off a new one goes in its cheap insurance to do it I take the grille off and the serpentine system and the idler pully and the radiator there are 4 14 or 13 mm bolts that hold the pully on they need to come out as there is a bot behind it and when you put the new one on use a gasket and blue rtv as the weephole is prone to leaking good luck

 

Wonder if the OE metal tube could be cut, then the stub removed with a deep socket, then screw in a brass 3/8" MNPT X 5/8" hose barb? A little longer heater hose is needed.

 

Thats nice. I so would have done that if I had not already gotten the replacement part...hmm but just maybe...in order to save myself from removing the water pump..

 

Post back how it goes.

 

I got the oem part. But I like your idea better here. And just keep the oem part as a spare or maybe use it if and when I need to replace the pump itself. Thanks for the idea. I'll let ya know how it goes.
Started soaking it with Pb blaster last night, since rust corrosion is why its leaking to begin with I'm hoping I can cut it and get it to unscrew and not bust off inside the pump.

 

Just remember, u need a little longer 5/8" heater hose....get ur tape measure out. Measure twice, cut once.

 

Well, I couldnt find the same part you used. I mean I did, but I couldnt find the right size thread with a 5/8", everything was to small with that size thread. SO, I took that oem part I had, cut it, so that i could still install it with a deep socket. replaced the heater hose from the firewall to the inlet tube and clamped it on. Works great without any leaks. Put about 15 miles on so far, and no issues at all.
Thanks much for the idea. Actual work time was about 10 minutes. As opposed to much more I'm sure had I needed to remove the water pump.

 

Ace, Lowe's, Home Depot have 'em but it sounds like u got 'er done.

 

yip, I'll keep that in mind if she ever springs a leak again. knock on wood.
thanks a bunch anyhow. Hope this thread can help others that may come across this issue as well.