My 99 xj started leaking coolant from behind the big bottom pulley. See attached pic please. I'm assuming maybe that is running down from the water pump?? I cant find any other obvious places of origin. Cant be coming from behind that main pulley can it? There is oil in there, right?

 

The water pump does sit right above the crank pulley, so it's possible. Are you sure it's coolant? Is it the original pump?

The timing cover has a paper gasket, and the crank pulley has a rubber seal that sits in the timing cover itself, but both of those would leak oil.

 

Yes, definitely coolant. The pump was replaced 20K miles ago or three years. I'm thinking its gotta be the water pump (gasket).

Thanks for the reply.

 

Could be a cheap pump? Or the belt is way too tight.

There's a coolant pipe that threads into the water pump that feeds one of the heater hoses. Check with a flashlight and make sure that's not what's leaking. The thermostat housing is right above the water pump too on the front of the motor, could also be leaking down.

 

How do you know if the belt is too tight?

 

Look here:

 

Is this telling me the belt is too tight?

 

the screw type hose clamps .. have to be re-tightened after use .. from my experience .. may take 2 years to leak

the butterfly clamps .. supposadly .. self adjust tightness

find the leak .. before diving in .. clean areas up ... look for fresh coolant after hot engine, coolant expands, sprays everywhere ..fyi


I bet its the lower radiator tube .. leaking from connect .. tighten that clamp a bit, shown in 3rd photo


but dont break it .. easy start

 

No. It's a water pump leak.

Google noggin pokin.