Took my van out to get gas, then parked it for a few hours and came back to a puddle of coolant underneath the van.

I'm fairly confident it's coming from the water pump, above the crank pulley, but I'm not sure where on the water pump. Seems excessive to be the weep hole, but this is my first American vehicle I've owned. Having a hard time getting a good view of the leak. Any tips?

 

This can be handled maybe two ways.

The first is to clean the area and see if you can determine just where the leak is coming from.

The second is to get hold of a cooling system pressure tester , pump the pressure up to NO MORE than the NUMBER stamped on the radiator cap ( maybe 15 pounds)
then look for the source of the leak. That will usually provide the answer as to where it it is coming from.

 

If your Chevy van has over -175-200K it's likely the water pump seep hole. Drive you van home hot, and put some brown cardboard underneath it. You'll soon find your leak.

 

163k.

I know it's dripping from the water pump, I just can't see where it's originating from on the water pump.

I think I have enough confidence that replacing the water pump will fix the leak.

Are any of the aftermarket water pumps any good? Or stick to the OEM pump?

 

I'd stay with an AC Delco professional unit myself. Gates is a well respected manufacturer of water pumps as well, however.

 

Did you ever figure it out? Mine looks like it's leaking around the same spot as yours

 

Replaced with an OEM water pump. No problems since