I'm changing out the water pump on my 2001 Cherokee sport. She has 190,000 miles, should I change out or check anything else while doing this? I do have a power steering leek, but don't know where from. I would appreciate any help.

 

Perfect time to replace the thermostat, fan clutch, and serpentine belt.

welcome

 

Much appreciated!

 

Don't forget the hoses and maybe a flush.

 

I have finished replacing new water pump, power steering pump, clutch fan, bottom radiator hose, and thermostat. It has been a rough week with crappy weather, not being able to get correct tools, parts breaking,and my dog dying tragically. After I made sure all connects were hooked up, I went to fill up the radiator(using the overflow tank) and it only took 3/4 of a gallon of antifreeze (like I said rough week ) I knew that was not enough antifreeze, but started her up anyway. I waited a few minutes and she was purring like a cat, so I turned on the car heater and went in the house to get ready for a test drive. I was inside for 10 minutes maybe when I heard the car making noises. Of course she over heated to the point that the start of the exhaust muffler was red, and the antifreeze in the overflow tank was bubbling. There was nothing leaking. I let it cool down over night.
I realized that there was WAY TO LITTLE antifreeze. Started filling the radiator directly but it is so slow to get it to fill that I started the car and ran it for 5 minutes, turned it off and continued to fill. When I went to
start it a second time it it won't turn over and is making a clicking sound and it is not a starter clicking. Could I have damaged the alternator by over heating it?
I don't know what to look at now?? Alot of ya'll are amazing on cherokees, please help. Thank you in advance.

 

Also, did not do a radiator flush because the drain plug is in a very difficult place and I also had trying time getting the clamp on the radiator hose. So I was going to take it to a shop to do the flush.

 

First, why are you using the overflow tank to refill it? Your 2001 is not a sealed system and should be refilled via the radiator cap. You obviously made a mistake going into the house for 10 minutes with a Jeep that was woefully underfilled. It's very possible you did some damage especially since '01 heads are known to crack if they overheat. If it's making a clicking sound but not turning over, I can't think of anything it would be other than the starter solenoid. I'd check the charge of your battery as far as why it won't turn over, but you could have bigger problems ahead.

I'm not saying this to be a smart ***, but you might want to enlist the help of a buddy that knows a lot about cars to assist in troubleshooting. Regardless, good luck man.

 

It is all spilt milk now, but never walk away from a car you just did coolant system work on. As mentioned, the head on 2000 and 2001 are known to crack when overheated. That would be a pretty big concern once you get it running again.

As mentioned above, make sure the battery is fully charged. Hopefully it is just something simple that is causing the click now. A dead battery would cause a "click", so start there.

 

Oh, that's not good. Yes, start with the assumption that it's something simple. Do the basic troubleshooting. But you might have trashed the engine.


Lessons:

• You cannot fill a radiator through the overflow tank. Not on any vehicle. It just does not work that way.
• On Cherokees, and most vehicles, leave the drain valve alone. They have a habit of breaking when you try to open them, or when you try to close them. Drain the radiator by removing the lower hose. (Unless you are replacing the radiator anyway, in which case, there's nothing to lose.)
• Like he said, never walk away. You monitor that temp gauge like a hawk until it has run long enough to open the thermostat, and then add 5 more minutes. You want to make sure that both radiator hoses are good and hot. Same for the radiator hoses.
• To flush the radiator (assuming your engine is still okay), just add some Dawn dishwashing liquid, maybe a tablespoon full. Drive like that for a couple of weeks. Drain, flush with clear water, then refill. (Or you can use a commercial radiator flush and follow their directions. Or do both.)

 

Did you have any luck with your Jeep?

 

When you try to crank the engine, does it sound like it's trying but can't turn the engine or just clicking like a dead battery. If you can't turn the engine by hand with a wrench on the front of the crank, you did serious damage. What part of the exhaust was getting red? Up by the engine or back by the muffler?

 

On vehicles with closed cooling systems that is the only way to fill it, many vehicles have closed systems with no cap on the radiator. That doesn't apply in this case however.

 

So I started with the basics as recommended, changed out the battery. She started right up and once again sounded
wonderful I watched and I got bubbling in the overflow tank. I ordered a head gasket kit and am in the process of
taking everything apart, damn those manifold bolts are hell (still haven't gotten the last two on the bottom). I finished
today getting the valve cover off and the oil looks good no sludge. I start up agaian first thing tomorrow morning.
I will keep ya'll updated.

 

On a closed system, it would also be called the surge tank. :}

But yeah, just filling the overflow bottle and starting it is a significant misunderstanding of how the system works. Plus walking away. Ooof! I would carefully inspect and magnaflux the head. If it's a 0331 casting, there is a good chance you cracked it. Not sure I'd even put a 331 head back on even if it wasn't.

Also, that plastic drain plug will almost certainly snap off. Just pull the lower hose to drain it.

 

Great job putting in the work to correct your mistake, it happens.
X2 on draining coolant through the lower hose, I just did it using that method works great.
Also, I agree, I definitely wouldn't reinstall the head so getting it checked will be a waste of time.