It is currently Sun Oct 12, 2025 5:51 pm

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Belt and Water Pump Issue
PostPosted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 7:24 pm 
Offline
LOST Newbie

Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 12:58 am
Posts: 6
My wife was driving our 2011 Liberty today and called to tell me that the engine got really hot and it had become hard to turn the steering wheel. I drove it earlier today and had no problems except for the gate indicator coming on and off sporadically (seems like this is a common issue when it rains and from what I found its because the sensor got wet please correct me if I am wrong). So she took it over to the dealership (needed an oil change too) and at first they told her it was probably the alternator. I told her that didn't sound right and to try to drive home so I could take a look at it. Conveniently, the jeep wouldn't start when she tried to leave and after popping the hood and taking a quick look the tech said that the water pump and belt needed to be replaced. The tech showed my wife the broken belt, so they weren't just yanking my chain. My question is why did the belt and pump break so early, I figured with only 45k miles and a three year old Liberty that it wouldn't have any significant problems yet. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Belt and Water Pump Issue
PostPosted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 10:52 pm 
Offline
LOST Addict
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:00 pm
Posts: 3278
Location: Jersey
Talking about the serpentine belt? That actually cracks and breaks at very low miles. I was told at 38K mine was cracked. I didn't believe them, but when I took it off and replaced it (VERY EASY) they were right. It had severe cracks in it.

_________________
2008 Black Jeep Liberty Sport
4.7L throttle body
Old Man Emu lift
Sky Slider
Hypertech Max Energy
K&N CAI
Gibson stainless steel exhaust
Blacked out
ScanGauge2
BFG All Terrrain 225/75/16
JBA upper control arms


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Belt and Water Pump Issue
PostPosted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 11:09 pm 
Offline
LOST Newbie

Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 12:58 am
Posts: 6
Maybe? The tech didn't tell my wife, but it apparently was broken because the water pump was loose for some reason. The jeep was in the body shop a few months ago after an accident (minor fender bender) and they had to replace the radiator because it had been damaged. So I was thinking they may have taken the water pump off for some reason when replacing the radiator and didn't put it back on correctly. Hence why it was loose.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Belt and Water Pump Issue
PostPosted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 11:14 pm 
Offline
LOST Newbie

Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 12:58 am
Posts: 6
Ok after doing a few minutes of research it was probably the serpentine belt if that is what is connected to the water pump. Sorry for the initial confusion, I am an amateur for the most part when it comes to the inner workings of an engine.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Belt and Water Pump Issue
PostPosted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 11:18 pm 
Offline
LOST Addict
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:00 pm
Posts: 3278
Location: Jersey
Not exactly sure why it would break to answer your original question.
The serpentine belt has an automatic tensioner (spelling?), so you don't ever have to tighten it. Maybe the tensioner was broken cuz I've heard, but don't necessarily believe, that they should be replaced when the belt is replaced.

_________________
2008 Black Jeep Liberty Sport
4.7L throttle body
Old Man Emu lift
Sky Slider
Hypertech Max Energy
K&N CAI
Gibson stainless steel exhaust
Blacked out
ScanGauge2
BFG All Terrrain 225/75/16
JBA upper control arms


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Belt and Water Pump Issue
PostPosted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 5:38 pm 
Offline
LOST Member

Joined: Sat Mar 18, 2006 4:45 am
Posts: 209
Location: AZ
A water pump can be damaged by a collision like that. Either by physical contact or the impact momentum damages the bearing just enough to cause premature failure. Your serpentine belt was past its prime at those miles and could have been the cause of the failure as the belt snapped and caught/jammed the pump drive pulley. Loss of the belt causes immediate overheating and loss of power steering along with gradual electrical blackout as the alternator ceases to charge and maintain system voltage.
When you do your weekly PM check under the hood (fluid levels, air filter, leaks) inspect the underside of the belt for cracks in the ribbed surface. Also look at the smooth top surface for shiny, polished "glazed" areas. Anything over 35K miles on a serpentine belt is a gamble.

See if you can keep the old belt and post up pics.

_________________
2012 Liberty Latitude 4x4,3.7L,42RLE,MP1522,D30M/8.25"@3.73,215/85R-16 LTX A/T2,Bright White
1974 CJ5,258,T14a,D20,D30/D44@3.73,TransAm Red


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Belt and Water Pump Issue
PostPosted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:13 pm 
Offline
LOST Addict
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:00 pm
Posts: 3278
Location: Jersey
DREDnot wrote:
A water pump can be damaged by a collision like that. Either by physical contact or the impact momentum damages the bearing just enough to cause premature failure. Your serpentine belt was past its prime at those miles and could have been the cause of the failure as the belt snapped and caught/jammed the pump drive pulley. Loss of the belt causes immediate overheating and loss of power steering along with gradual electrical blackout as the alternator ceases to charge and maintain system voltage.
When you do your weekly PM check under the hood (fluid levels, air filter, leaks) inspect the underside of the belt for cracks in the ribbed surface. Also look at the smooth top surface for shiny, polished "glazed" areas. Anything over 35K miles on a serpentine belt is a gamble.

See if you can keep the old belt and post up pics.


Agreed and you can evaluate the belt much better when you take it off. You might be a little shocked when there are many cracks in it. I was in disbelief and was thankful it was an easy at home repair.

_________________
2008 Black Jeep Liberty Sport
4.7L throttle body
Old Man Emu lift
Sky Slider
Hypertech Max Energy
K&N CAI
Gibson stainless steel exhaust
Blacked out
ScanGauge2
BFG All Terrrain 225/75/16
JBA upper control arms


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Belt and Water Pump Issue
PostPosted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:35 am 
Offline
LOST Newbie

Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 12:58 am
Posts: 6
Thanks for the advice! Next time I'll make sure to keep a better eye on the belt. Unfortunately since it died at the dealership, they did the repair which wasn't cheap of course but the guy did give me a 10% discount, so I guess I at least saved a little bit. Now I need to fix the constant "gate ajar" issue.....


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Belt and Water Pump Issue
PostPosted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:46 am 
Offline
Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:03 am
Posts: 1503
Location: S.W Washington
mjohnston8899 wrote:
Now I need to fix the constant "gate ajar" issue.....

There is a simple solution to this problem. Simply pull up the plastic moulding that 's around the metal latch (hook) that holds your gate closed. You will see 2 torx screws, loosen them, push the latch to the left (drivers side) and tighten the screws. It won't move very far over, but it will most likely fix your problem.
If that does not take care of it, then more then likely you will need a new lock as the "ajar" sensor is internal to the locking mechanism.

_________________
07 KA Light Khaki, Manual trany.
2.5" Adjust-A-Strut JBA lift, Euro taillights,
Home made; Front Tilt Hood, Roof Rack, RAM Air, & CAI.
ESP Off Switch
Take a ride on the Trō side!

Image


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 25 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group. Color scheme by ColorizeIt!
Logo by pixeldecals.com