Pelican

You can not tell how well the mechanical fan clutch is performing just by looking at it run. As some of the most senior members of the forum have outlined above, there is no conclusive test to determine that the clutch is bad (or good). They do wear out and unless you know when the current clutch was installed, it just makes good sense to replace this relatively inexpensive item.

Your option of course. I would change out both while I had the thing apart (which is what I did about 7 years ago on my '93). Think about how much fun it will be to tell everyone what a dunce they are if this doesn't fix it!

extrashaky

As I mentioned above, check the weep hole on the water pump. The weep hole on mine is on the underside of the pump where it's impossible to see from the top. If the water pump fails, coolant will leak out of that weep hole and run down the hose, making it look like there's a hose leak. Get some air swirling up in there out on the road, and you can't tell where the hell it's coming from. The same thing can happen if there's a leak between the water pump and the block, in which case your water pump may be fine, but you're still chasing a phantom.



If yours is on the bottom like mine, before you go pulling off radiator hoses and replacing clamps, I would suggest that you get under the Jeep with a flashlight to see if you can get a look at the weep hole from the bottom. If you can't see it from the floor, get one of those mechanic's mirrors like this or this and take a look from the top. I'm not saying you shouldn't replace your hoses, but doing so won't do you any good if that's not the source of your leak. If it's coming from your water pump, it needs to be replaced, and there's no point in replacing a hose that isn't leaking only to take it off again later when you replace the water pump. Likewise if the pump is good but the seal against the block is shot.

cruiser54

Excellent post and photo. And BTW, I stole the photo. Thanks.

Firestorm500

It's not the thermostat.

WomanNeedsJeepExpertise

Yesterday I went to Firestone to get my oil changed because why should I get all messy when I can pay someone $29 to do it for me? Well I had them change, the lower radiator hose and while it and the clamps don't appear to have been changed, it's not leaking.

So after breakfast I'm going to slide on under and check it out and see if the weep hole is the culprit which I pray it is not.

Now, do I need to let the car heat up a little to see the leak?

WomanNeedsJeepExpertise

Yesterday I went to Firestone to get my oil changed because why should I get all messy when I can pay someone $29 to do it for me? Well I had them change, the lower radiator hose and while it and the clamps don't appear to have been changed, it's not leaking. Would it have been worth it for me to do the $25 pressure test to see where the leak was coming from?

I opted not to because I want to take care of the overheating issue first.

So after breakfast I'm going to re-tighten my radiator cap and slide on under and check it out and see if the weep hole is the culprit which I pray it is not.

Now, do I need to let the car heat up a little to see the leak? Would this be connected to the overheating issue?

I really want to focus on the overheating issue first.

extrashaky

Yes, you want to run it a while to let it get up to normal operating temp. It would be even better to drive it around for 20 minutes, just to make sure it shows itself if it's still there.

Yes, it could be connected to your overheating issue, for two reasons:

1. If the water pump is failing, it will not be pumping at full capacity.

2. If the water pump is failing, your system is losing pressure. A loss of pressure causes a loss of efficiency in the cooling system, which can cause overheating problems.

If your leak is fixed with just the hose, that's great. If you're still running hot after verifying that you don't have a leak, you should then do the fan clutch. To be honest, I would do it anyway, because that's a cheap part that isn't difficult to replace, and then you can have confidence in it.

One other thing: I would never trust Firestone to diagnose an issue for you. Ever. They are notorious for piling on repairs that are not necessary or are just wrong. Either do the work yourself or find a reputable local garage with a mechanic you trust. I found a guy I like to do work for me sometimes by reading his reviews on the internet. Few people are going to have 100% positive reviews, but you can see general trends in the reviews that can tell you whether they know what they're doing and whether they'll try to rip you off.

WomanNeedsJeepExpertise

Thanks. I've been riding and decided to go to the local Pull-A-Part store to get a new console top. Mine just fell off. When I get back, my jeep should be hot enough to check

WomanNeedsJeepExpertise

Here's what I have, looks similar to your picture:

WomanNeedsJeepExpertise

20 minutes in idle and this is where the gauge is (and yes I know I need gas, about to get some):
Antifreeze was ride above the add line, just added some. The last time I had it on full was early May.

Firestorm500

Quote: "If the water pump is failing, your system is losing pressure."

Water pumps don't create pressure. They only circulate water in a loop.

You don't have to heat it up to check the weep hole. If it has a history of leaking from there, you will see traces of fresh, or even dried, coolant. I had a Chevrolet 454 that would drip from there only as it was transitioning from cold to warm. It would actually drip on the ground then. When the pump was pulled, white mineral traces were present around and below the hole.

Also, to the OP: If your Jeep has lost that much coolant in just a couple of months, and it's not dripping on the ground, and it is constantly overheating:

That's two symptoms out of several indicators of a blown head gasket. I'm not trying to be an alarmist here, but it is a possibility.

A $29 oil change at Firestone? Are you sure they didn't just put someone else's used oil in it, or some of that recycled crap, then wipe off the filter? Even Walmart charges more than that.

Roler

Pic #2 and 3 show what looks like contant on the ridge right side of the clamp . Most likely trickled down there from above...so wp area. I'd go ahead and change it and since you will have to remote the viscous fan fire that, spend the extra 30 bucks and replace that as well and be done with it down there.

Roler

Sorry for the typos ...stupid phone.

Firestorm500

Thanks for clarifying that. I thought it was you.

However, that little drip isn't going to cause an escalating overheating problem. She claims her fans are working properly. OK.

Two immediate possibilities come to mind. A water pump impeller that is totally rotted away. Or a head gasket problem.

Roler

Its both me and the phone , you know be by now Fire, haha. What I meant was....that that likely comes from the wp weephole....indicating Its on the way out.