Just about every time I drive this week, I end up with loudly boiling coolant that often releases steam from the (brand new) overfill tank on my 88. I also smell coolant through my heater when this is going on. I recently did a radiator flush, not with any chemicals, just running water through, and replaced thermostat. I did all that to remedy the same issue from a month or two ago.. It seemed to help? But now we have the same issue. I have searched similar symptoms, and the suggestions are for the water pump? I just want affirmation, if this sounds like the right thing to try or if there could be something else, like maybe the radiator is dead? An explanation of why the pump would cause this problem would be awesome since I haven't the foggiest what the water pump's job is.

This damn jeep seems like it's struggling lately...

 

The water pump pumps the coolant throughout the system. It drives the entire system. Over time, the fan can deteriorate causing the pump to be less useful.

First, is your vehicle overheating? If it is then its critical to find the root of the problem or you could warp the heads or blow a head gasket.

If you can smell burnt coolant in the cab then it could be the heater core is toast.

 

If you are boiling coolant pretty quickly after a cold start, a blown head gasket is what comes first to mind.

All a water pump does is push coolant throughout the system. It does not create pressure. If it is weak, it can cause overheating because the coolant cannot circulate through the radiator and engine.

 

Those bottles are crappy and the caps don't seal well. Try a Napa 703-1396 and see if that helps.

 

Yeah just did that one a month ago.

Well, headgasket it was. This morning the jeep sang it's swan song and blew the engine... Head gasket blew finally, I would guess, water leaking into the oil and bending some rods or something. Clanking and rattling, I pulled off the road but I'm almost 100% certain she's dead this time. Thanks for the ride, jeep! I put maybe 2 thousand into this thing including original purchase 4 years ago, so there arent too many hard feelings.

Wow, what a lesson in "don't just leave stuff alone that points to a problem"

 

Cheap driving.

RIP, Jeep.

 

If thats an old water pump, I'd be interested what the pump impeller looks like.

 

What is the condition of the fan clutch ?

 

Going on 5 years and we never heard back.....

 

lol, should have checked the date of the thread. @Cruiser54 please delete my post if possible. Thank you

 

LOL. That's fine. Let's leave it just for fun. Welcome aboard!!!!