Have a leak coming from below the water pump. When hot I can hear the hissing. The water pump has never been removed. Is it possible that water pump gasket has a hole/failure? Some other known failure mode of the water pump? Any other leak mode from that area of the engine?

 

Where the shaft goes into the pump, there is a small hole in the casting on the bottom. Behind this is the bearing seals and fluid leaks out here when the shaft seal goes bad. . You cannot easily see it because the pulley kind of overlaps the hole

 

Does that mean it's time for a new water pump if that is the source of the leak? I assume the seals are not easily replaced.

Turns out water pumps are cheap on Amazon, about $25 and up

 

Well, it is time then to replace your thermostat, flush your system, new coolant and replace the upper and lower hoses if they are super soft and/or have cracks and don't forget to check the heater hoses.

 

Buy a good one. Its not worth saving 25 bucks to have to do it again. Aisin (sp?) has always been a good brand for me.

And here is a tip that you didnt ask for. Park the Jeep facing downhill or maybe even put the rear wheels on ramps when you do your flush. It will let the flushing water drain out if the head and the block a bit better. Your results may vary.

 

Had I gone to Napa and paid $70 for the new pump, you'd be convinced I'd be getting a "good" one. They charged me $28 for the lower hose last week.
The Amazon pump (Gates) had hundreds of 4 & 5 star reviews.

That's an excellent idea, I have lots of pitched slopes to do that. Thank you.
I'm planning to run water until the pump arrives, wondering how to drain most of it.

 

I thought you sold it, per your previous post ????

 

I did a double take too. "Old and Slow" is a new user. "OldnSlow" is the one who fell out of love with his Cherokee but is still hanging around because we're such an awesome group.

 

🤣🥰

 

Go watch this video for more tricks and tips!


Todd

 

Have the new pump, 2 questions:

1. The heater connects to the pump via what I assume is a pipe thread at the end of a long metal tube.
   Do I need to apply any sealant to the pipe thread?
2. The stamped paper? gasket for the pump to block interface is about 0.010" thick. Of course clean the block, but do I grease or otherwise apply anything to the gasket?

Not done any wrenching in years, bit rusty.

Thanks in advance.

 

The pipe thread on the tube usually has some type of shmuts on it from the factory but I usually put a couple of wraps of Teflon tape . Make it snug but not overly tight because it can crack the pump mounting threads, and make sure it runs parallel to the head. You will only get a little wiggle room once the pump is installed. Do a test fit before you bolt the pump into the block. The stamped paper is fine..make sure the thermostat has not dropped out of its groove while bolting on the cover or you will crack it. Sorry I just saw you were talking about pump gasket...make sure all the bolt holes align properly during the gasket install so you have the proper orientation

 

I have teflon tape, great suggestion, just my old brain didn't think of this obvious solution.

BIGGER PROBLEM:
The power steering bracket attaches to the water pump in several spots. Got those off, but in order to move the bracket and get new water pump and gasket in place, need to loosen all the bolts.

One bolt, a 14mm hex attaches to the block, My 12 pt 14mm socket won't loosen this bolt, appears to slip.Is there a way? Heat with a propane torch? Other?

Can't believe how much I had to remove just to get at the damn water pump.

 

I thought the block bolts were 9/16 but you might need a 6 point 14 or 6 point 9/16. I remember i was able to get the pump off and on without removing the ps bracket but it was a later model and different bracket.

 

a lot of factory bolts have Loctite on them and heat makes all the difference, even if they are not loctite, I always heat cycle stubborn fasteners with a butane torch

Impact sockets are 6 sided

I also have Metwrinch tools that cover metric, imperial and Whitworth with one tool, and specialized for rounded corners