An owner of a Ford vehicle is at your shop to have an oil and filter change. During the service, you notice a little coolant is leaking from the vehicle's water pump.

So, do you replace the pump or is a little coolant dripping normal?

Well, the answer depends on how much coolant the pump is leaking. The first symptom of a water pump that's on the verge of failing is coolant leaking from the pump weep hole. More than a few drops of coolant coming out of the weep hole usually means trouble.

First, you'll need to inform the customer what you saw and what it means to them - instead of a $20, 30-minute oil change, it's now looking more like a three-hour wait and $300 or more service bill.

But, in the long run, it will be worth the wait and cost compared to if the pump fails down the road, resulting in a greater inconvenience for the customer.

So let's get back to the original problem at hand. If you think the seal is leaking, have the cooling system pressure tested. A leak-free system should hold pressure, but one that's leaking won't. Although you may need to reschedule the water pump replacement due to your customer's request, explain to them that they shouldn't put off replacing a worn water pump too long because the steady loss of coolant may allow their engine to overheat, which may cause engine damage. And if the pump's shaft bearings fail on an engine that has a pump-driven fan, the fan may hit the radiator and ruin it too.

Also, you c...