1999 Jeep Wrangler leaking coolent

DWG1671

MEMBER
1999 JEEP WRANGLER

Engine Cooling problem
1999 Jeep Wrangler 4 cyl Four Wheel Drive 137000 miles

I have had problems with the water pumb last year.
I was replaced along with the radiator.

yesterday I was driving and heard a snap. It was the
serpentine belt. I parked the Jeep and watched for
fluid, but nothing came out. I got a ride to a auto
parts store and bought a serpentine belt. I returned
an hour and half later. I looked for fluid but there was none. I had to leave the Jeep to get my tools. When I
returned two hours later there was a puddle of coolent
on the ground. It seemed to be coming from the water
pump. I was wondering what would delay the coolient
from leaking out.

1 Reply

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

See my profile,

I answer the CJ 5s & 7s a lot

Had it been leaking all along, and you had not noticed it?

My 1st guess is with belt tension on the Water Pump Pulley, The shaft is being forced opposite of the belt constantly, and this is how belt driven things get "out-of round" wear. (The belt tension is sorta like taking out shaft slop, THAT IT CREATED!)

Not only that, but Mr. Seal is used to being crammed over into this "off-centered" positionNow with no tension, it might have centered itself back up and now you have a small gap between the shaft and the seal!

My 2nd guess would be, it was the "Expansion--Contraction" Thing!

While it was hot, it was sealed due to expansion (stuff got bigger). When it got cool, stuff got smaller.

The important thing to find, is the source, I found that using a Inspection mirror helps. Or the Evil Female I'm hitched to's, Make-up Compact

Your turn

The Medic