my jeep overheat no water leakage at all, no water circulating in the engine. Could it be the water pump?

Question

I flushed the radiator and the belt is fine there is no sound or water leaking from the water pump could the problem be the water pump?

I took the thermostat out but still the same problem. If it is the water pump wont i have water leakage and noise from the pump ? my jeep is 1998 jeep cherokee. thanks

Answer 1

This is a common problem, and the fix is simple. Your engine is airlocked, when you refilled the cooling system after you flushed the radiator, an air pocket was created under the thermostat. The thermostat will only open in the presence of hot coolant. When you run your engine, the coolant does not circulate because the thermostat is closed, and will not open because the air trapped under your t-stat will not get hot enough to open it, therefore the coolant stays in place and the car overheats.
To fix this, remove the thermostat and drill a 1/8th inch hole somewhere in the flat disc of the t-stat, it will not affect the operation of the thermostat and it gives the air somplace to go. It will go past the thermostat and into the radiator, and can be replaced by coolant.

Answer 2

It could be worn-out fins in the water-pump causing poor water circulation but unlikely. It could be from low oil pressure caused from worn-out connecting rod bearings causing low oil pressure. It could be from a warped or cracked cylinder-head allowing hot exhaust gasses to enter the cooling system or allowing coolant to escape out the exhaust system. A bad head-gasket will not always let engine oil enter into the cooling system.
Have you had a freeze plug changed recently? Sometimes a mechanic will take a shortcut by forcing the old plug into the engine instead of removing it. That, sometimes, will slow down the circulation of the coolant.
Make sure there is no cooling-air-flow restriction i.e.: a broken or missing fan shroud, bent or clogged radiator fins by bugs etc. Make sure your fan-belt is tight enough. Make sure your ignition timing is not set too far advanced and the fuel/air mixture is not too lean. If you have an electric radiator cooling fan, make sure it's operating properly. That is a very common problem. Good Luck

Answer 3

Jeep Tj Water Pump

Answer 4

it could be one of 3 things either the thermostat, water pump or the electric fan is not coming on after it gets to the manufacturer's specified temp

if it is an 80 through 96 jeep the cap may be stripped and lose pressure causing a leak that is small and not holding enough pressure to keep it from boiling over

Answer 5

Jeep Xj Water Pump

Answer 6

this is bad my friend. the words you have used clearly say you warped the head or minimally blew a head gasket. this is proven by the "damaged" plugs. coolant likely entered the cylinder and fowlded the cylinder or cylinders. the sound is likely from air entering the cooling system and causing a strain on the pump or the pump was the initial reason the engine overheated and caused the head gasket to go. the worst thing can be done is run an engine without coolant. it will kill the motor faster than loss of oil will. wish I had a magic wand to solve this for a student but they reposeeded mine for over use.

Answer 7

I would replace the Thermostat first. Could be the water pump. Also make sure that your radiator cap is good.

Answer 8

It could be the water pump, it could be the bottom hose is collapsing and not letting water run through. It could be the electric fan isn't coming on. It could be the air flow through the radiator is being blocked by something....

Answer 9

my guess would be a bad thermostat. change that first, its cheaper than a water pump. it may be a blown head gasket. could even by the water pump like you said.

Answer 10

it could be the thermostat stuck closed. also the impeller shaft on the water pump broke