Wednesday night I had to change the water pump on the TJ for what must be the 10th time since I've owned the vehicle. Surprisingly it appears that the WP was under warranty from when I purchased it back in 2011 when I swapped it in from the wrecked ZJ: TJ Engine Replacement Project - JUOT - Joes Ultimate Off Topic
That's 4 years and about 27k miles. I'm actually surprised the engine has lasted this long considering that it was a 180k mile poorly maintained POS in the first place. Granted I have to run 20w50 to keep oil pressure up when warm and idling. Anyway, I digress.
I've been losing a little coolant for a while now. Could get a faint whiff from outside from time to time but never could find the source. I swapped the heater core before we moved (June 2015 IIRC), so I figured it was the water pump. Wednesday afternoon I noticed a small puddle had formed by the time I left my eye doc (20 minutes) after picking up my new glasses. Hit up Autozone on the way home for a new water pump and verified that I had coolant running down the lower radiator hose when I got home. I also picked up something I'd not used before. Gasket Shellac.
Typically I use Permatex #2 gasket sealant when installing a WP or thermostat gasket. This shellac came in a can with a brush which appealed to me as those tubes rarely last more than 2 applications before rupturing or curing in the tube. I'll never go back. This shellac stuff is great. Easy to apply, easy to see where it's applied. Seems to have sealed well too. Didn't get all over my hands. Was easy to work with in sub freezing temps.
That brings me to another thing.... I ****ing hate working on **** in the driveway. Not having a garage is truly the suck, especially when you're driving a >270k brokedick TJ. I have so many little things that need fixing right now that it's driving me nuts. I cannot wait to have a garage again. My drink froze, sitting on the fender while I worked. Do you know how badly is sucks to change a water pump outside when it's like 26*?
tl:dr; TJ water pump lasted 50 months and 27k miles. Cost $29.99 to replace, but was refunded due to lifetime warranty. Gasket shellac > gasket sealant #2. Changing water pump in 26* weather brings the suck.
No pics from this install, but here is a pic from when I installed the one that just went bad:
That's 4 years and about 27k miles. I'm actually surprised the engine has lasted this long considering that it was a 180k mile poorly maintained POS in the first place. Granted I have to run 20w50 to keep oil pressure up when warm and idling. Anyway, I digress.
I've been losing a little coolant for a while now. Could get a faint whiff from outside from time to time but never could find the source. I swapped the heater core before we moved (June 2015 IIRC), so I figured it was the water pump. Wednesday afternoon I noticed a small puddle had formed by the time I left my eye doc (20 minutes) after picking up my new glasses. Hit up Autozone on the way home for a new water pump and verified that I had coolant running down the lower radiator hose when I got home. I also picked up something I'd not used before. Gasket Shellac.
Typically I use Permatex #2 gasket sealant when installing a WP or thermostat gasket. This shellac came in a can with a brush which appealed to me as those tubes rarely last more than 2 applications before rupturing or curing in the tube. I'll never go back. This shellac stuff is great. Easy to apply, easy to see where it's applied. Seems to have sealed well too. Didn't get all over my hands. Was easy to work with in sub freezing temps.
That brings me to another thing.... I ****ing hate working on **** in the driveway. Not having a garage is truly the suck, especially when you're driving a >270k brokedick TJ. I have so many little things that need fixing right now that it's driving me nuts. I cannot wait to have a garage again. My drink froze, sitting on the fender while I worked. Do you know how badly is sucks to change a water pump outside when it's like 26*?
tl:dr; TJ water pump lasted 50 months and 27k miles. Cost $29.99 to replace, but was refunded due to lifetime warranty. Gasket shellac > gasket sealant #2. Changing water pump in 26* weather brings the suck.
No pics from this install, but here is a pic from when I installed the one that just went bad:
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