Loss of coolant....can I damage water pump with engine startup???
 

The stock radiator on my '95 Grand Cherokee Limited (4.0L 6-cyl.) is leaking
pretty bad for last couple days. I crawled under the front of the vehicle and
cant see an obvious pinhole or cracked seam due to the fan shroud blocking the
view, but the entire bottom seal on the radiator is soaked with green fluid, and
its leaking all over the parking lot. I poured in half gal. of coolant last
night to see what would happen, and its been leaking green juice all night & day
onto aforementioned parking lot.

I think I might be able to drive the vehicle a couple miles to the local
dealership or radiator shop to get it looked at.....but am I risking water pump
damage if there is no coolant in the radiator? Do water pumps need fluid to
operate.....or can they run dry? I'd hate to add a costly water pump
replacement on top of a radiator fix.

Thanks for the help.....

Re: Loss of coolant....can I damage water pump with engine startup???
 

I think they probably could run dry, but by the time you get to that stage I
think
you would be in deep deep doodah with no water circulating and your heads
warping.
If you only have 2 miles to go and you think you can make it, the best bet
is to boil up
a lot of water and take it with you; stopping to top it up. *Don't* put
cold water
in a hot engine.

Dave Milne, Scotland
'91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ

"TJM" <tjm@nospam> wrote in message
news:mrydnZm44KDmaWPdRVn-ig@comcast.com...
> The stock radiator on my '95 Grand Cherokee Limited (4.0L 6-cyl.) is
leaking
> pretty bad for last couple days. I crawled under the front of the vehicle
and
> cant see an obvious pinhole or cracked seam due to the fan shroud blocking
the
> view, but the entire bottom seal on the radiator is soaked with green
fluid, and
> its leaking all over the parking lot. I poured in half gal. of coolant
last
> night to see what would happen, and its been leaking green juice all night
& day
> onto aforementioned parking lot.
>
> I think I might be able to drive the vehicle a couple miles to the local
> dealership or radiator shop to get it looked at.....but am I risking water
pump
> damage if there is no coolant in the radiator? Do water pumps need fluid
to
> operate.....or can they run dry? I'd hate to add a costly water pump
> replacement on top of a radiator fix.
>
> Thanks for the help.....
>
>

Re: Loss of coolant....can I damage water pump with engine startup???
 

I think they probably could run dry, but by the time you get to that stage I
think
you would be in deep deep doodah with no water circulating and your heads
warping.
If you only have 2 miles to go and you think you can make it, the best bet
is to boil up
a lot of water and take it with you; stopping to top it up. *Don't* put
cold water
in a hot engine.

Dave Milne, Scotland
'91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ

"TJM" <tjm@nospam> wrote in message
news:mrydnZm44KDmaWPdRVn-ig@comcast.com...
> The stock radiator on my '95 Grand Cherokee Limited (4.0L 6-cyl.) is
leaking
> pretty bad for last couple days. I crawled under the front of the vehicle
and
> cant see an obvious pinhole or cracked seam due to the fan shroud blocking
the
> view, but the entire bottom seal on the radiator is soaked with green
fluid, and
> its leaking all over the parking lot. I poured in half gal. of coolant
last
> night to see what would happen, and its been leaking green juice all night
& day
> onto aforementioned parking lot.
>
> I think I might be able to drive the vehicle a couple miles to the local
> dealership or radiator shop to get it looked at.....but am I risking water
pump
> damage if there is no coolant in the radiator? Do water pumps need fluid
to
> operate.....or can they run dry? I'd hate to add a costly water pump
> replacement on top of a radiator fix.
>
> Thanks for the help.....
>
>

Re: Loss of coolant....can I damage water pump with engine startup???
 

I think they probably could run dry, but by the time you get to that stage I
think
you would be in deep deep doodah with no water circulating and your heads
warping.
If you only have 2 miles to go and you think you can make it, the best bet
is to boil up
a lot of water and take it with you; stopping to top it up. *Don't* put
cold water
in a hot engine.

Dave Milne, Scotland
'91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ

"TJM" <tjm@nospam> wrote in message
news:mrydnZm44KDmaWPdRVn-ig@comcast.com...
> The stock radiator on my '95 Grand Cherokee Limited (4.0L 6-cyl.) is
leaking
> pretty bad for last couple days. I crawled under the front of the vehicle
and
> cant see an obvious pinhole or cracked seam due to the fan shroud blocking
the
> view, but the entire bottom seal on the radiator is soaked with green
fluid, and
> its leaking all over the parking lot. I poured in half gal. of coolant
last
> night to see what would happen, and its been leaking green juice all night
& day
> onto aforementioned parking lot.
>
> I think I might be able to drive the vehicle a couple miles to the local
> dealership or radiator shop to get it looked at.....but am I risking water
pump
> damage if there is no coolant in the radiator? Do water pumps need fluid
to
> operate.....or can they run dry? I'd hate to add a costly water pump
> replacement on top of a radiator fix.
>
> Thanks for the help.....
>
>

Re: Loss of coolant....can I damage water pump with engine startup???
 

I think they probably could run dry, but by the time you get to that stage I
think
you would be in deep deep doodah with no water circulating and your heads
warping.
If you only have 2 miles to go and you think you can make it, the best bet
is to boil up
a lot of water and take it with you; stopping to top it up. *Don't* put
cold water
in a hot engine.

Dave Milne, Scotland
'91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ

"TJM" <tjm@nospam> wrote in message
news:mrydnZm44KDmaWPdRVn-ig@comcast.com...
> The stock radiator on my '95 Grand Cherokee Limited (4.0L 6-cyl.) is
leaking
> pretty bad for last couple days. I crawled under the front of the vehicle
and
> cant see an obvious pinhole or cracked seam due to the fan shroud blocking
the
> view, but the entire bottom seal on the radiator is soaked with green
fluid, and
> its leaking all over the parking lot. I poured in half gal. of coolant
last
> night to see what would happen, and its been leaking green juice all night
& day
> onto aforementioned parking lot.
>
> I think I might be able to drive the vehicle a couple miles to the local
> dealership or radiator shop to get it looked at.....but am I risking water
pump
> damage if there is no coolant in the radiator? Do water pumps need fluid
to
> operate.....or can they run dry? I'd hate to add a costly water pump
> replacement on top of a radiator fix.
>
> Thanks for the help.....
>
>

Re: Loss of coolant....can I damage water pump with engine startup???
 

True....I imagine on running dry on a 85F day would be a bad idea!

I might just buy a couple more gallons of coolant and brew up a 50/50 water
mix....then top-up every mile until I get to the repair shop.



"Dave Milne" <jeep@_nospam_milne.info> wrote in message
news:5ECLc.5238$tj1.51756274@news-text.cableinet.net...
> I think they probably could run dry, but by the time you get to that stage I
> think
> you would be in deep deep doodah with no water circulating and your heads
> warping.
> If you only have 2 miles to go and you think you can make it, the best bet
> is to boil up
> a lot of water and take it with you; stopping to top it up. *Don't* put
> cold water
> in a hot engine.
>
> Dave Milne, Scotland
> '91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ
>
> "TJM" <tjm@nospam> wrote in message
> news:mrydnZm44KDmaWPdRVn-ig@comcast.com...
> > The stock radiator on my '95 Grand Cherokee Limited (4.0L 6-cyl.) is
> leaking
> > pretty bad for last couple days. I crawled under the front of the vehicle
> and
> > cant see an obvious pinhole or cracked seam due to the fan shroud blocking
> the
> > view, but the entire bottom seal on the radiator is soaked with green
> fluid, and
> > its leaking all over the parking lot. I poured in half gal. of coolant
> last
> > night to see what would happen, and its been leaking green juice all night
> & day
> > onto aforementioned parking lot.
> >
> > I think I might be able to drive the vehicle a couple miles to the local
> > dealership or radiator shop to get it looked at.....but am I risking water
> pump
> > damage if there is no coolant in the radiator? Do water pumps need fluid
> to
> > operate.....or can they run dry? I'd hate to add a costly water pump
> > replacement on top of a radiator fix.
> >
> > Thanks for the help.....
> >
> >
>
>

Re: Loss of coolant....can I damage water pump with engine startup???
 

True....I imagine on running dry on a 85F day would be a bad idea!

I might just buy a couple more gallons of coolant and brew up a 50/50 water
mix....then top-up every mile until I get to the repair shop.



"Dave Milne" <jeep@_nospam_milne.info> wrote in message
news:5ECLc.5238$tj1.51756274@news-text.cableinet.net...
> I think they probably could run dry, but by the time you get to that stage I
> think
> you would be in deep deep doodah with no water circulating and your heads
> warping.
> If you only have 2 miles to go and you think you can make it, the best bet
> is to boil up
> a lot of water and take it with you; stopping to top it up. *Don't* put
> cold water
> in a hot engine.
>
> Dave Milne, Scotland
> '91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ
>
> "TJM" <tjm@nospam> wrote in message
> news:mrydnZm44KDmaWPdRVn-ig@comcast.com...
> > The stock radiator on my '95 Grand Cherokee Limited (4.0L 6-cyl.) is
> leaking
> > pretty bad for last couple days. I crawled under the front of the vehicle
> and
> > cant see an obvious pinhole or cracked seam due to the fan shroud blocking
> the
> > view, but the entire bottom seal on the radiator is soaked with green
> fluid, and
> > its leaking all over the parking lot. I poured in half gal. of coolant
> last
> > night to see what would happen, and its been leaking green juice all night
> & day
> > onto aforementioned parking lot.
> >
> > I think I might be able to drive the vehicle a couple miles to the local
> > dealership or radiator shop to get it looked at.....but am I risking water
> pump
> > damage if there is no coolant in the radiator? Do water pumps need fluid
> to
> > operate.....or can they run dry? I'd hate to add a costly water pump
> > replacement on top of a radiator fix.
> >
> > Thanks for the help.....
> >
> >
>
>

Re: Loss of coolant....can I damage water pump with engine startup???
 

True....I imagine on running dry on a 85F day would be a bad idea!

I might just buy a couple more gallons of coolant and brew up a 50/50 water
mix....then top-up every mile until I get to the repair shop.



"Dave Milne" <jeep@_nospam_milne.info> wrote in message
news:5ECLc.5238$tj1.51756274@news-text.cableinet.net...
> I think they probably could run dry, but by the time you get to that stage I
> think
> you would be in deep deep doodah with no water circulating and your heads
> warping.
> If you only have 2 miles to go and you think you can make it, the best bet
> is to boil up
> a lot of water and take it with you; stopping to top it up. *Don't* put
> cold water
> in a hot engine.
>
> Dave Milne, Scotland
> '91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ
>
> "TJM" <tjm@nospam> wrote in message
> news:mrydnZm44KDmaWPdRVn-ig@comcast.com...
> > The stock radiator on my '95 Grand Cherokee Limited (4.0L 6-cyl.) is
> leaking
> > pretty bad for last couple days. I crawled under the front of the vehicle
> and
> > cant see an obvious pinhole or cracked seam due to the fan shroud blocking
> the
> > view, but the entire bottom seal on the radiator is soaked with green
> fluid, and
> > its leaking all over the parking lot. I poured in half gal. of coolant
> last
> > night to see what would happen, and its been leaking green juice all night
> & day
> > onto aforementioned parking lot.
> >
> > I think I might be able to drive the vehicle a couple miles to the local
> > dealership or radiator shop to get it looked at.....but am I risking water
> pump
> > damage if there is no coolant in the radiator? Do water pumps need fluid
> to
> > operate.....or can they run dry? I'd hate to add a costly water pump
> > replacement on top of a radiator fix.
> >
> > Thanks for the help.....
> >
> >
>
>

Re: Loss of coolant....can I damage water pump with engine startup???
 

True....I imagine on running dry on a 85F day would be a bad idea!

I might just buy a couple more gallons of coolant and brew up a 50/50 water
mix....then top-up every mile until I get to the repair shop.



"Dave Milne" <jeep@_nospam_milne.info> wrote in message
news:5ECLc.5238$tj1.51756274@news-text.cableinet.net...
> I think they probably could run dry, but by the time you get to that stage I
> think
> you would be in deep deep doodah with no water circulating and your heads
> warping.
> If you only have 2 miles to go and you think you can make it, the best bet
> is to boil up
> a lot of water and take it with you; stopping to top it up. *Don't* put
> cold water
> in a hot engine.
>
> Dave Milne, Scotland
> '91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ
>
> "TJM" <tjm@nospam> wrote in message
> news:mrydnZm44KDmaWPdRVn-ig@comcast.com...
> > The stock radiator on my '95 Grand Cherokee Limited (4.0L 6-cyl.) is
> leaking
> > pretty bad for last couple days. I crawled under the front of the vehicle
> and
> > cant see an obvious pinhole or cracked seam due to the fan shroud blocking
> the
> > view, but the entire bottom seal on the radiator is soaked with green
> fluid, and
> > its leaking all over the parking lot. I poured in half gal. of coolant
> last
> > night to see what would happen, and its been leaking green juice all night
> & day
> > onto aforementioned parking lot.
> >
> > I think I might be able to drive the vehicle a couple miles to the local
> > dealership or radiator shop to get it looked at.....but am I risking water
> pump
> > damage if there is no coolant in the radiator? Do water pumps need fluid
> to
> > operate.....or can they run dry? I'd hate to add a costly water pump
> > replacement on top of a radiator fix.
> >
> > Thanks for the help.....
> >
> >
>
>

Re: Loss of coolant....can I damage water pump with engine startup???
 

Your biggest risk is baking out the valve seals. They are up top and
when the temp hits red, you are cooking them really fast. This can turn
a nice engine into a smoker.

See if you can fill it and run it with the rad cap off. If it will stay
stable then maybe you can make it that way, but....

It really isn't a good thing to chance, when a pump bearing blows out,
the fan or pulley can even come spinning off.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

TJM wrote:
>
> The stock radiator on my '95 Grand Cherokee Limited (4.0L 6-cyl.) is leaking
> pretty bad for last couple days. I crawled under the front of the vehicle and
> cant see an obvious pinhole or cracked seam due to the fan shroud blocking the
> view, but the entire bottom seal on the radiator is soaked with green fluid, and
> its leaking all over the parking lot. I poured in half gal. of coolant last
> night to see what would happen, and its been leaking green juice all night & day
> onto aforementioned parking lot.
>
> I think I might be able to drive the vehicle a couple miles to the local
> dealership or radiator shop to get it looked at.....but am I risking water pump
> damage if there is no coolant in the radiator? Do water pumps need fluid to
> operate.....or can they run dry? I'd hate to add a costly water pump
> replacement on top of a radiator fix.
>
> Thanks for the help.....