Coolant leaking, heavy steering, smoke all over the place

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

It looks like there is coolant everywhere in the engine area, causing it smoke, as it is spraying somewhere, I even have some coolant on top of airbox.
It is leaking a good amount of it, and the steering is heavy for some reason.

Dealer said "could be the water pump" on the phone. I am thinking of taking it to the local shop instead. Would that be covered under warranty? Or what else could we be looking at?

rangerd77 · **Joined:** Sat May 03, 2008 10:48 am **Posts:** 512

not really sure if it is covered under warrantym unless you have the 7/70,000.

and yes it could be the water pump, it is on the side of the airbox. also chech the top of the radiator, it could have a small hairline crack in it.

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

rangerd77 wrote:

not really sure if it is covered under warrantym unless you have the 7/70,000.

and yes it could be the water pump, it is on the side of the airbox. also chech the top of the radiator, it could have a small hairline crack in it.

I am waiting for AAA to tow me to the dealership.
I believe I should have 6/60 powertrain. I am at 56k miles with only 5 years 2 months. I hope I have 6/60.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 12:00 pm

Is your serpentine belt still in tact?? The belt drives the power steering, water pump, alternator, a/c compressor and balancer. The the belt broke, then no coolant is going from the radiator to the block, overheat and squirted coolant everywhere. The pump on the power steering is driven by the belt and no belt means no power steering.

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 12:05 pm

Also a belt soaking wet would not "grip" the spindle on the pump so it would not be getting all of the normal power thus making steering not normal.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 12:39 pm

hyedipin wrote:

rangerd77 wrote:

not really sure if it is covered under warrantym unless you have the 7/70,000.

and yes it could be the water pump, it is on the side of the airbox. also chech the top of the radiator, it could have a small hairline crack in it.

I am waiting for AAA to tow me to the dealership.
I believe I should have 6/60 powertrain. I am at 56k miles with only 5 years 2 months. I hope I have 6/60.

Its actually a 7/70 powertrain warranty, not 6/60. So you should be covered.

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

I just came back, they will take a look at it and call me. I will keep you guys posted.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 2:00 pm

either radiator or hose busted more than likely, spraying anti freeze out all over the place even on the belt which in turn will make the belt wet and cause the power steering not to work right, ( feel heavy) make sure they replace the belt when doing whatever else needs done due to the belt will always have thet on and not work right

water pump will most times just leak/ drip down from the bottom and will not cause a spray effect

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

Thank You everyone for your help, dealer just called me and it is indeed the water pump, they are working on it and it is covered under warranty with $100 deductible.

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

Did it overheat? If so, you could be in for more trouble.

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

USPLibby wrote:

Did it overheat? If so, you could be in for more trouble.

No, thank god. I have never seen my KJ temp gauge go over the middle of the dash, not once ever.
I still had coolant in the reservoir, but it was going down fast if I kept the car running.

What is causing all this, Speeding? Cold Starts? Bumps? Hard braking? What is to blame?! Bad craftsmanship?

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 4:10 pm

If it was the water pump it is just a wearable item, most times they last up in to the 100,000 mile area but you never know. There is a shaft on a bearing in the water pump which spins at a high rate of speed of course, and they wear out causing the problem you had today. They have a weep hole in the bottom of the pump which most times is where you will see the first hint of a leak.

Make sure they do replace the belt as well since it has been soaked in antifreeze

Coolant leaking, heavy steering, smoke all over the place

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