Waterpump done at 40K miles?

opiv · 06-25-2007, 09:12 AM

I noticed a coolant leak on Saturday. There was a small amount of coolant on my driveway. It seems to be coming from the waterpump. It was difficult to see but there was coolant dripping down near the edge of the oil pan. I checked the coolant in the resevoir and it was near the 'fill' line. After I filled the resevoir to the full line it did not seem to leak at all on Sunday. Is it strange for the (original) waterpump to start going at 40K miles on a 2000 TJ - defective? Should I just replace the waterpump and be done with it?

**newbs** · 06-25-2007, 09:49 AM

my friends died at around 18k so you never know, his was a 97

opiv · 06-25-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbs

my friends died at around 18k so you never know, his was a 97

Interesting - I may just order a replacement and do it this weekend. I guess I will replace the thermostat and belt while I am at it.

ndalake · 06-25-2007, 10:09 AM

I hate to hi-jack your thread but I have something weird going on that I need help with along these same lines? Where are you seeing the fluid actually hit the ground? The reason I ask is because I think I have a mystery leak. My '01 began to overheat on me going home the other day so I checked the overflow bottle and it was bone dry. I filled it and three days later, it was almost dry again. I haven't seen any leaks at all. I know the radiators aren't terribly reliable but I don't see any leaks. I thought it was the bottle, took it out, filled it up completely, never leaked on the garage floor. Put it back in, refilled it to the fill line and every couple of days I'm having to add again. I'm concerned that it could be the water pump and I just can't see the leaks because it's coming down farther back on the motor and I have a motor and transmission skid. I might have to remove it to find the leak. I just don't want to replace the radiator and hoses and then find that it is the water pump.

Thanks for any help and results you can share.

opiv · 06-25-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndalake

I hate to hi-jack your thread but I have something weird going on that I need help with along these same lines? Where are you seeing the fluid actually hit the ground? The reason I ask is because I think I have a mystery leak. My '01 began to overheat on me going home the other day so I checked the overflow bottle and it was bone dry. I filled it and three days later, it was almost dry again. I haven't seen any leaks at all. I know the radiators aren't terribly reliable but I don't see any leaks. I thought it was the bottle, took it out, filled it up completely, never leaked on the garage floor. Put it back in, refilled it to the fill line and every couple of days I'm having to add again. I'm concerned that it could be the water pump and I just can't see the leaks because it's coming down farther back on the motor and I have a motor and transmission skid. I might have to remove it to find the leak. I just don't want to replace the radiator and hoses and then find that it is the water pump.

Thanks for any help and results you can share.

I don't have an engine skid so it makes it a little easier to spot where it is coming from. It looks like my leak must be from the waterpump because it seems to hit the crankshaft pulley and spray a little onto the differential. It also collects near the edge of the oil pan and dripps down the oil pan and onto the ground. I replaced the stock radiator with a 3-row CSF at 30K miles - it started leaking at the top seam at that point.

**tjthorson** · 06-25-2007, 11:32 AM

Since its already hijacked..... You may have a bad head gasket. Check the oil for milkshake appearance. You may also be burning it. If its a small leak, you may never notice the white smoke.... Try to determine a sweet smell to your exhaust.... (Caution here - if you closely resemble a Darwin award winner in most of your undertakings, do NOT sit and smell your exhaust).

My words of wisdom - its not loosing coolant because it doesnt like you. Find the leak before it costs BIG bucks.

To the OP - 40K is not unusual. SOme are longer - some shorter. Flush the system, change the coolant, thermostat, belt, and check the fan clutch....

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndalake

I hate to hi-jack your thread but I have something weird going on that I need help with along these same lines? Where are you seeing the fluid actually hit the ground? The reason I ask is because I think I have a mystery leak. My '01 began to overheat on me going home the other day so I checked the overflow bottle and it was bone dry. I filled it and three days later, it was almost dry again. I haven't seen any leaks at all. I know the radiators aren't terribly reliable but I don't see any leaks. I thought it was the bottle, took it out, filled it up completely, never leaked on the garage floor. Put it back in, refilled it to the fill line and every couple of days I'm having to add again. I'm concerned that it could be the water pump and I just can't see the leaks because it's coming down farther back on the motor and I have a motor and transmission skid. I might have to remove it to find the leak. I just don't want to replace the radiator and hoses and then find that it is the water pump.

Thanks for any help and results you can share.

thesherm · 06-25-2007, 11:37 AM

the water pump in my 98 went at about 30k and the radiator went at 60k. i am now at 70k with no further issues

opiv · 06-25-2007, 12:30 PM

Thanks guys - it sounds like it is not all that unusual. Now I have some stuff to work on this w/end.