Quick answer. This 2004 Dodge Durango in San Jacinto was leaking coolant. Our tech came out, got under the front of the engine and traced the leak. The finding on the ticket: the water pump needs to be replaced. The visit was one hour of diagnosis, $150.
Key Points
- The complaint was a coolant leak. The owner wanted to know where it was coming from.
- Our tech found the water pump is the part that needs to go.
- The charge on record is one hour of diagnosis, $150.
- The record does not show the pump being replaced on this visit, so we do not claim it was.
- Two recalls on certain 2004 Durangos are worth a VIN check. One is the driver air bag.
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What the Owner Asked For
The job was simple to write down. Find the coolant leak.
A coolant leak can come from a lot of places. The radiator. A hose. A heater core. The water pump. A gasket. Each one is a different bill. So we quoted one hour to find it, and nothing else.
Our tech drove out to the owner in San Jacinto. The Durango was parked at the curb, and the work was done right there.
What Our Tech Found
Our tech went under the front of the engine. That is where the water pump sits, behind the pulleys and the belt.
The finding was clear. The water pump needs to be replaced. That is the whole diagnosis on the record, and we will not dress it up with codes or miles we do not have.
2004 Dodge Durango, San Jacinto, November 8, 2026
Came in with: a coolant leak.
Our tech found: the leak traced to the water pump.
What it needs: a new water pump.
Cost on record: one hour of diagnosis, $150.
Why a Leaking Water Pump Cannot Wait
The water pump moves coolant between the engine and the radiator. When it leaks, the system slowly loses coolant. If nobody catches it, the engine runs hot. A repair guide says many drivers do not know until the temperature light comes on, and that driving an engine that is overheating can do severe damage (AA1Car, water pump diagnosis).
Most pumps fail at the shaft seal. Rust and grit in old coolant wear the seal, and the belt keeps a load on the bearing the whole time. The same guide says a pump leaking at the shaft or the vent hole has to be replaced. A bottle of leak sealer will not stop it (AA1Car, water pump diagnosis).
That is general advice, not a reading from this truck. But it is why we tell owners not to keep topping it off and hoping.
What Happens Next
The owner now knows the part. Not a guess, not a list of maybes. One part.
The record closes with the diagnosis. It does not list a pump or the labor to put one in. So we will not tell you that was done, or how it turned out.
The finding and the photos sit on the job in Shop Desk, the software our San Jacinto shop built. Other shops can run their jobs on it for free.
Recalls Worth Checking on a 2004 Durango
These have nothing to do with the leak. Chrysler recalled certain 2004 to 2008 Durangos because the driver air bag inflator can take on moisture over time and rupture in a crash. NHTSA says metal pieces could strike the people inside, and owners are told not to drive the truck until it is fixed. Dealers replace the inflator for free (NHTSA recall 15V313).
An older recall covers certain Durangos with the 3.7L, 4.7L or 5.7L engine. The positive battery cable may rub on a front suspension bracket, short out and start a fire under the hood. Dealers inspect the cable and move it if needed (NHTSA recall 04V578).
Both recalls apply to certain vehicles. Our job record does not show whether either one was done on this truck. You can check yours by VIN on the NHTSA 2004 Dodge Durango page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my water pump is leaking?
You may see coolant under the front of the engine, or the level keeps dropping. A tech can trace it to the pump, a hose or the radiator.
Can I keep driving with a leaking water pump?
Not for long. As coolant runs low the engine can overheat. If the temperature light comes on, shut it off.
Will a leak sealer fix a water pump leak?
No. A pump leaking at the shaft has a worn seal. It needs a new pump.
How much did this diagnosis cost?
One hour, $150. That is the only charge on this job record.
Can you find a coolant leak at my house?
Yes. This one was found at the curb in San Jacinto. Our techs come to you.
What We Read
- NHTSA, Recall 15V313, Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator
- NHTSA, Recall 04V578, Positive Battery Cable
- NHTSA, 2004 Dodge Durango
- AA1Car, Water Pump Diagnosis and Replacement
Supercanic tip: Topping off coolant every week is not a fix. Find the leak before the engine overheats. Call us at (951) 904-2477 and we will trace it.
Losing Coolant and Not Sure Why?
One hour of diagnosis, $150. You see what we found before you pay for any part.
