7.3 knocking-water pump??

[WackerCattle]

I have a 2000 f250 7.3 and I can hear a knocking from the front of the engine. With a tool, it seems to be coming from the water pump. My clutch fan works randomly, I think it's bad. Will the water pump make a knocking noise? Would the clutch fan? There isn't any antifreeze dripping. Thanks, Sherri

[Mountainhandyman]

How loud is the knock. I have the same Year F350 and my knock seems to be coming from the engine. Just baught it and trying to figure out what's going on. The engine oil is cream in color. I'm guessing that means I have water in the oil. Is this due to a blown head gasket?-this all due to the previous owner didn't check his trucks cooling system by means of not checking the radiator/or the engine oil cooler; it was cleaned, removing all debris (small twigs & such). What should I do first? Compression test…?

[7.3HeavyHauler]

Yes and be prepared cause its probably a blown head gasket, that would also be a good time for injectors if you plan on doing it

[atvrider93]

bad headgasket or the internal orings in the oil cooler are bad.
OP-I dont think the waterpump will make a knocking sound when bad

[Mountainhandyman]

Thanks for the input. I plan on tearing into it soon. Anything else I would look at doing to the engine and components while I have the engine out? Other threads are saying to pull the cab, but I think I will remove the whole front end to lift the engine out. Can I change the head gaskets without removing the engine?