Coolant leak, can't find source?!

the_bret · **Posted:** Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:21 pm

Hey, I have been lurking on this forum for a long time, gotten a lot of really good help on a few topics just by searching for the issue. So thanks first and foremost for that!

Now, on to the issue:
I have a 2005 KJ CRD. Owned it since new, has 149,000 miles on it and I'd like to think that I have taken fairly good care of it.
Noticed a very slow coolant leak coming from the water pump area a few weeks ago. I was planning to sell the Jeep and wasn't going to put time and money into getting this fixed, just point it out to the buyer (adjust price) and be done. I could go 50+ miles before the coolant light would come on, but I'd just top it off every time I stopped. Engine never got hot. However, about a week ago after just topping the coolant off, I didn't make it 3 miles down the road and the light was on. Red flag to me, so I pulled over, noticed A LOT of coolant running out of the sides of the skid plate. I topped off the coolant before turning around to head home, noticed it was running out as fast as I could pour it in. I thought I'd blown a hose, made sense to me at the time. I get the Jeep home, engine never got above "3/4" on the temp gauge.
Today, I am tearing the front end apart looking for the cause of my leak. Can't get the radiator all the way off, but I get it loose enough to check my hoses and be able to see a bit more. I slowly fill the coolant tank with water, and after about a gallon or so, I hear it dripping. I can't see much, but what I can see is that it's dripping from behind the crank pulley. Not sure where it's coming from, can't see anything from the top, and hardly anything from underneath! Engine starts and runs, no milky oil and no odd noises. Is it possible that the water pump finally let go completely and it's easiest route is out the timing cover? Anything more serious it might be?

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

- Bret

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:48 pm

Unless there is a major crack in the block water jacket I suspect you have completely blown the shaft seal on the water pump. If you haven't already done the timing belt job it's way over due and you have to pull the timing belt to get to the water pump (front 1/2 only with "O" ring needs to be replaces as that's the half with all the moving parts) so figure on the TB kit from idParts. If you have done the TB say back at 100,000 miles you can get away with reusing it after doing the water pump.

Do NOT run it any more before you get in there as the WP shaft can seize which will shred the TB and then your rockers are toast and the parts cost goes up $400 or so plus another day worth of work

the_bret · **Posted:** Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:55 pm

Thanks papaindigo, I appreciate your help with this.

I did the timing belt at 105,000.

Looking back, I should have done the water pump at the same time!

I'll start looking for the parts to do the water pump and read up on how to do that correctly.

- Bret

the_bret · **Posted:** Sat Oct 11, 2014 5:18 pm

Ok, maybe a stupid question, but which of the "kits" on IDParts is just the front half? Is it the Graf bronze impeller or just some of the o ring or gasket sets?

Is there a good thread detailing what I need to do to get this job done right? Will I need to pull the timing belt to make this happen?

Again, sorry for the lack of knowledge, all help is much appreciated!

- Bret

flman · **Posted:** Sun Oct 12, 2014 6:58 am

the_bret wrote:

Ok, maybe a stupid question, but which of the "kits" on IDParts is just the front half? Is it the Graf bronze impeller or just some of the o ring or gasket sets?

Is there a good thread detailing what I need to do to get this job done right? Will I need to pull the timing belt to make this happen?

Again, sorry for the lack of knowledge, all help is much appreciated!

- Bret

Correct the Graf, and you might as well throw in a new belt and get 100K out of the job while you are there.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Oct 12, 2014 8:15 am

For what it's worth. I would not be inclined to spend $s on parts until you confirm the problem (I'm reasonably sure it's the water pump but not positive) as I'm sure idparts can do a rush shipment. If you do order parts they charge a restocking fee but you might could chat with Corey Evans at idparts about your issue.

Assuming it's the water pump you have 2 choices starting off with the fact that you will be repeating every single one of the the timing belt steps plus having to remove the cams to get the inner TB cover off to do the water pump.
1. cheap - order http://idparts.com/catalog/product_info ... ts_id=3612 from idparts and reuse existing belts and idlers (be sure to inspect all bearing for leaking grease and replace as needed - at 50,000 my TB idlers were leaking grease but stoutdogs were not)
2. costs more but IMHO is the do it right way - order http://idparts.com/catalog/product_info ... ts_id=2721 from idparts and replace stuff that has 50,000 or so miles of wear already. At minimum you need a new serpentine belt as IMHO that should be done every 50,000 miles.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 12, 2014 11:17 am

BTW, you will not need to remove the inner timing case just to confirm if it is the water pump that is the source of your leak. If it is, you are SO lucky that you did not have valve to piston contact. As Pap said, do NOT run until you have this figured out. (Water pump should ALWAYS be replaced as part of timing belt service.) Also, there is no water pump sold without the "back". You just take it off the new one before you install on the old "back".

DOC

WolverineFW · **Posted:** Sun Oct 12, 2014 3:36 pm

DOC4444 wrote:

BTW, you will not need to remove the inner timing case just to confirm if it is the water pump that is the source of your leak. If it is, you are SO lucky that you did not have valve to piston contact. As Pap said, do NOT run until you have this figured out. (Water pump should ALWAYS be replaced as part of timing belt service.) Also, there is no water pump sold without the "back". You just take it off the new one before you install on the old "back".

DOC

Incorrect. Graf pump from IDparts is only the front half of the pump.

http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=29_109&products_id=3612

Coolant leak, can't find source?!

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