LoCool **update** 1/11 >> Water pump leaking

blake1827 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 6:55 pm

I got a LoCool warning on my odo 3 miles from home last night, after pulling off the Interstate at a stoplight. Driving back from El Paso to Denver yesterday in freezing temps. Drove non-stop the last 250 miles @80 mph 2250 rpm, no leaks or anything must have just boiled over?? Was full when I left last week, topped off w/ 50/50 G-5 Zerex from Napa this am. Never had this issue before, anyone else ever have this problem? Temp gauge never budged though.

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Update 01/08/10 got the locool notification again tonight after topping off, it's been 10 operating hrs and 350 miles since early last week when the issue first began. So I have a slow leak somewhere. I will have to take a look at it Sunday to try to locate the source has anyone had to find a replacement hose for this?? I'm sure it won't be an easy hunt. Coolant has no odor really but I think it's comming from the passenger side near the reservoir.

geordi · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:11 pm

Check the overflow tank, there is a sensor in there that whines when the liquid level contracts back into the radiator system and the sensor dries out. It probably just needs to be topped off, mine was doing that for a while and hasn't done it since I filled the system up completely. It took a couple times to purge all the air out I guess, after replacing a hose.

jinstall · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:32 pm

Mine does this about every 600 miles. I have yet to figure out where it is going but I have a suspision I know where it is going and I will not be happy to find out I was right.

CRDMiller · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2009 11:08 pm

I've never lost a drop of coolant on my crd, I hope it's overflow but I find it unlikely, unless you seriously overheat or your cap is not functioning properly.

Plus you would smell it, or at least, I would.

Maby chip in for a used oil analysis or something? it does not take a lot of coolant to damage your engine. :2cents:

geordi · **Posted:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 3:37 am

jinstall wrote:

Mine does this about every 600 miles. I have yet to figure out where it is going but I have a suspision I know where it is going and I will not be happy to find out I was right.

Where do you suspect? Head gasket? Usually the result will be the opposite. I'd posit the water pump might be weeping... That also is a cast-iron beeatch to replace. For your sake, I hope it is just a hose with a pinhole. I've seen that happen before.

jinstall · **Posted:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:16 pm

geordi wrote:

jinstall wrote:

Mine does this about every 600 miles. I have yet to figure out where it is going but I have a suspision I know where it is going and I will not be happy to find out I was right.

Where do you suspect? Head gasket? Usually the result will be the opposite. I'd posit the water pump might be weeping... That also is a cast-iron beeatch to replace. For your sake, I hope it is just a hose with a pinhole. I've seen that happen before.

Heater core

The blower motor was replaced on a recall in Germany and I think something came loose. I smell it in the vents during the summer.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:34 pm

jinstall wrote:

Heater core

The blower motor was replaced on a recall in Germany and I think something came loose. I smell it in the vents during the summer.

It could be worse :lol:

A recent thread here "12 glow plugs in 12 months" tells of a cracked head leaking coolant onto a glow plug.
This summer I put a heater core and AC evaporator in my 00 XJ. A lot of work but I would rather do that again then a head on my CRD :furious:

blake1827 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 09, 2010 1:56 am

<BUMP>

CRDMiller · **Posted:** Sat Jan 09, 2010 2:04 am

Well i can tell you there are a ton of fittings and hoses that could leak, check around the thermostat and check every one. Take your time it takes a while.

I just replaced my t-stat last week and i had a minor leak when i forgot to replace the constant tension clamp on one line. Probably about the same speed as yours.

This much coolant would be obvious in your crankcase so thank god, right

kdlewis1975 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 09, 2010 2:12 am

I've never gotten this error, but I have noticed on occasion that the coolant level in the reservoir being lower than it should be. I never was able to find the leak either. The loss occurred gradually over 2 years. I topped it off and it appeared to stay constant. While doing EGR surgery over the holiday, we discovered that one of the cooling hoses had a small hole in it. They were hard and brittle and impossible to pull off of the fittings, so we had to cut them. Coolant from the reservoir tank appears to be the initial source. I suppose the combination of hot coolant and hot exhaust were enough to bake them. The hole, very tiny, was located on the underside of a bend. ...just throwing this out there as a possibility.

blake1827 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 09, 2010 3:22 pm

Thanks for the feedback guys I crawled underneath this morning and had some coolant drips on the passenger side CV joint and around that area in the driveway. Will need to drop the skid for a better look. But will probably have to take to the dealer for a full inspection and hope the part isn't on backorder. Will be driving an XJ for a few days...

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:09 pm

blake1827 wrote:

Thanks for the feedback guys Will be driving an XJ for a few days...

I have a very clean 00 Classic XJ, 149,000 miles, and except for the diesel engine in the KJ I prefer the XJ :goink:

The 4.0L and Asin AW4 transmission are fantastic untill I need to fill the tank up :roll:

blake1827 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:49 pm

Dealer says water pump is leaking. Total damage for parts and labor quoted $815. Rush shipping should have the part here by Weds. I had just changed the oil after my trip, so should I get an oil analysis after they are done even though it was dripping externally? Oil only has 300 miles on it.

geordi · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:06 pm

Do the analysis, IIRC its only like $30 or so. But you should be able to tell pretty fast if there is any coolant in the oil - It will give off rainbow colors. Usually it is the other way around tho, oil entering the coolant b/c the pressure is so different. Oil pressure is 60+ psi, usually around 80. Water pressure is maxed at 18psi.

I find it interesting that the dealer will ALWAYS zero in on the most expensive part to replace first. When I had a problem with my auto-start, I told them directly what I strongly suspected was the problem: The antenna loop wire wasn't set properly, and the car wasn't getting the 'key number' signal so the alarm kept cutting off the engine.

They ignored me at the service desk, and spent 5 days and $3000 to replace both the remote start system and the BCM... Then FINALLY replaced the wire loop when it failed right there in their parking lot when they were delivering it back to me as 'fixed'. Thankfully it was warranty money, not mine.

Reason I mention this? You said you found coolant on the CV boot on the passenger side. How did it get there from a leak at the water pump... On the CENTER of the engine at the top? Was there also coolant on the left side?

I'm hearing hoof beats, and the dealer is obviously thinking Zebras. If this is YOUR money... Fight hard. This doesn't compute without more information.

blake1827 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:37 pm

Yeah that's why I wanted to ask everyone on LOST we know these engines better than the dealer. I only got a quick look underneath but I looked where the only drip I saw in my driverway, which was passenger.
Because I asked him you SURE it's not the hose? Yes. We'll see because they'll never hear the end of it if this persists. Think a new pump will last 150K? And just do the belt at 100.

GreenDieselEngineering · **Joined:** Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1111

blake1827,

There are no less than 15 coolant line connections on the passenger side of the engine, most all of these use constant tension clamps to seal the rubber lines to the connection nipples. The water inlet elbow has connections for reservior tank, heater core lines, by-pass and oil cooler. There are a few more connections for the steel lines running to the heater core and coolant bottle return line to engine. This would be the first vehicle we have heard about that failed the water pump prematurely. If you have the time, remove the airbox and CAC hose, then visually verify all the connections in that area. Chances are one of the connections is leaking, we had a leak from a connection to the heater core lines. The constant tension clamp relaxed over time, it was replaced with a screw clamp and the issue disappeared.

Good luck!

GDE

blake1827 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 6:29 pm

Thanks again to everyone on L.O.S.T.! Service tech swears it's the pump leaking after the pressure test; and running down the right side. So, I'll let them fix it part should arrive Weds. If the problem comes back they'll be the first to know.
This just really messes up my service interval with the coolant and water pump only at 50% of life expectancy. Will pinch my remaining pennies for a oil analysis, for some peace of mind thankfully I have a Fumoto.

LoCool update 1/11 >> Water pump leaking

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