Water Pump??????

[Ernzo]

Well, I just got back from the jeep, and the fan assembly is completely loose, like the bearing is completely gone! I mean I can wiggle that sucker! The coolant is obviously coming from there, and the fan has NOT ruined the radiator. The grinding noise is most likely the impeller shaft riding on the water pump housing!

So, I am going to cut the belts and *try* to limp her out of there today, (no power steering -heavy snow...)

Worse case, I tow her.

Anyway, thanks again IFSJA. Luv ya and a terrific Christmas and Hanuka to all!

Ernie and Louise

[Kevin718]

I also had a water pump failure in early November 2006. As I was driving down the interstate at 75 mph, I noticed a significant increase in vibration. Took a look and the fan was wobbling all over the place.

- Fan did not contact the radiator
- No coolant leaked out the front of the water pump
- The impeller was pushed back into the timing cover. Luckily most of the damage was to the impeller and not the cover.

Changeout took me 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. I would suggest getting the AC compressor out of the way early as I had to end up doing that anyways. It makes it easier.

Good luck. Hope the snow waits for you.

[Gambler68]

OK...I see where you limped it home last night.

Sounds like you're getting a handle on the probable suspects...let me know if you need anything. If nothing else, I'm real good at standing around and pointing at things under the hood

Steve

Me too! Ask Flint!

[Ernzo]

Hi, wanted to thank all for the help, Louise is again running with a NEW water pump. Turns out the old one was really not that old, the impeller had not broken off, the bearing had failed and was completely gone, there was so much slack the shaft was literally flopping around!

Anyway, I really appreciate the advice, especially the "cut the fan belts' tip, as I would not have thought of that, and it worked!

So, although my trusty jeep was out of commission during the worst snowfall in 20 years here in Denver, she is running well now and is perfect for driving over the worst potholes/ruts/ice dams etc. in 20 years!!

E