PLEASE HELP ASAP!!

so earlier today, i started my truck up and noticed a squeaking noise coming from the front passenger side close to the alternator, but it only squeaked when i turn the lights on (not sure if thats important) but when i cut it off, i noticed a leak like at the bottom of the engine, well thats where all the fluid was and then a medium sized wet spot on the driveway.

ive looked online and ive read some people talk about replacing water pumps. idk. i jus wanted to ask you guys for your opinion first before i start getting parts (im poor)

please help!!!

You never said where/if you ever saw the leak on the engine or what color the fluid was. Is it coolant, oil, gas, brake fluid? It sounds like you're convinced it's the water pump - it certainly could be. Where does your radiator overflow tube go?

If the area NEAR the alternator is squealing, could it be the alternator and the leak is something different?? The squeal might be coming from antifreeze spraying on the alternator?

Sorry for even more questions, but there are a lot of questions that need to be asked to try to help.

yea i know i didnt really help my situation much by not describing, but from what i saw it was too dark to be oil, because i jus changed it the other day. the overflow tube goes to the reservoir? the tube for the top by the cap right?

and theres nothing liquidy getting on the alternator as i would see wet spots on it. all the moisture is basically under the middle belt and behind it a little bit on the passenger side. so idk

i also have hids in if thats important.

The reason I asked about the overflow tube was because if someone just had it 'dumped' into the engine compartment, it could be misrepresenting a problem that wasn't really there. The fluid was darker than oil? Geez ... do ya have power steering (even though it's on the other side of the block)? Like a leak in the line and the PS fluid is really old and dirty - squirting into the fan?

Other than that ... I really have no idea.
Maybe clean up the block where the possible leak is and look for new leakage? Look for missing fluid - lower fluid levels? Just because the fluid is darker than your new oil, ya might have some residual old oil or some sludge making it look darker. Smell it!

yea ill take another look at it soon. its raining over here.
and its not really squirting any where, it looks like its jus running. like something might be loose or something. idk

Sounds like either your alternator belt is slipping or the bearings are squealing when you turn your lights on due to the increased demand on the alternator.
Was your oil really dark before you changed it?, you may have spilt oil on your block or chassis when you changed your filter. Your water pump failing would leave a puddle of coolant not oil.
Look under your truck and try and see where its dripping, then follow it back up to its highest point, should lead you to the source of your mystery fluid.
Unfortunately without pics, your the only one who can see what's going on, so a bit of detective work on your part will be required.
Let us know what you find.

the fluid in the pictures i took look like it is coolant so im guessing its the water pump?
sorry about the crappy photos, theres not much space to fit my hand and phone to take great pics of the evidence

and to get an idea of the direction, the alternator is on the left and i was facing the block.

If it is the water pump, the timing belt must come off for that. So at least you can change that, and check the timing belt tensioners too. That job took me a Sunday morning my first time.

Be sure to bleed out the air completely when you re-fill with coolant, not so straightforward on these trucks.

://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2677/4249/6692124016_large.jpg target="_blank Idk about a wp leaking fluid over at the alternator? But I would def check your thermostat housing and the coolant by pass hose that feeds from the heater core under the intake to the intake area just before the thermostat.These are prone to leak if old hoses,or just a leaky therm housing.I would run your finger around the this area for a wet condition.Here above are two pics showing the general idea.The hardline with 3 hoses are the ones under the intake and the one U shape hose can leak close to the therm housing.Just a thought and degrease your engine bay to verify the leak!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks for the help! im actually almost certain that its a water pump problem. i did recently replace that u shaped hose due to it bursting while i was driving -___-

but yea guys, ill be sure to let you know saturday when i go to my uncles house to start working on it.

thanks for all the help!!