I woke up this morning to discover my Jeep had gotten sick overnight and barfed its guts all over my driveway...



I replaced the upper and lower hoses along with the t-stat and housing but when I went to refill it started dripping again. I pulled the pump and discovered that whoever last replaced it used RTV instead of a regular gasket. I checked the pump and the bearings seem perfect so, would it be okay to just clean it up and slap a new gasket on there or do I have to buy a new pump?

The leak was definitely coming from the mating surface where the RTV had failed, not from the pulley.

 

I would replace the pump while I was in there. They're not that expensive, and besides, it's not the bearings that leak its the seal inside. I installed what I thought was a good water pump, shaft was tight with no play, but once installed it leaked like a sieve.

 

Replace the pump. I like to make sure when I pull something that is prone to failure to replace it to save time in the long run.

 

And I bet they used LOTS of RTV, didn't they?

 

Dang, well thats unfortunate. Since a new pump costs $30-$40 I'd definitely replace it. Great reassurance, especially with it being summer and all, even though it hasnt gotten too hot around here yet.

 

^^ What everyone else says, replace the pump. Use a new gasket and some high-temp RTV (red stuff). Put a THIN coating on the mating surfaces of the pump and engine, then sandwich the gasket in there. Torque to specs.

 

Is that rusty water or red coolant?

 

Or did you put some kind of additive in it? Mine looked like that because I had put Water Wetter in it

 

Boy, that'ed be a real tough one for me, I could almost flip a coin. Toss a good pump and spend $40? Maybe. You do know there is a "weep" hole where coolant will leak when the seal is bad. If you could see any evidence it leaked there that would make it easy. (sometimes there will be a streak). Maybe while you have it out you will see something. I'm thinking of changing mine, only because I'm sure it has been in there for almost 10 years. Stuck bolts and/or some unexpected hassle will likely be the "hard" part. If you just install a gasket and have a problem, doing it the second time might seem relatively easy.

Got mote time than money, or more money than time?

 

I don't mean to thread jack but which place would the past water pump come from? I'm currently just looking at napa's since I'm planning on getting the zj fan cluth as well.. Is napa's pump refered to as "good"?

 

I'd replace the pump, I went through and replaced everything else, radiator, hoses, t stat, even the housing and after everyone the water pump looked great no leaks no bearing play then about a month later if that wouldn't you know it the pump decided to take a leak when I was away from home and had to get it towed home. So if its off you might as well replace it and save time later on.

 

I generally trust Napa. That 10 year old pump I referred to came from there.

 

Oh okay, thanks. And if it ever does poop I can get a new one through warranty

 

I have this on my list of things to do on the ZJ. I grabbed a water pump off the shelf over here.

We carry replacement water pumps over here. If anyone needs a price on one PM me .

 

Mine is from napa and has worked like a champ.