1988 cherokee auto 4.0 water pump

Jewel · #1 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 11:15 AM

Hello,

My Jeep is a 1988 Cherokee Lardeo 4x4 automatic 4.0 straight 6 with a 154.000 miles on it (rebuilt). I have had it for 16 years.

My water pump needs replacing as it has been leaking for awhile. I have had it replaced before (long ago). My auto part store tells me it is a part from inside the pump itself leaking. I took it to the person that I have trusted for years to work on my rig, and the price he was asking to fix it was to much for me to consider unless, I felt I could not replace it myself.

How hard is it to replace . . . never replacing one before ?

The other question is would it take more than 3 hours to replace ?

I have investigated what part I would need . . . found one at the auto parts store etc.

Thank you, Jewel

SteelHeadz · #2 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 03:03 PM

It's not difficult at all. Maybe 2 hours give or take, however, since it's your first time, it may take longer. Make sure you compare the old water pump to the new one particularly the impelers direction. If you want to tackle this job, we'll walk you through this.

pkucan · #3 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 05:46 PM

Something to think about!
How old is the thermostat? Upper and lower hoses?
Since your in there and will have to add antifreeze anyway why not go all the way. The key to replacement is MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS CLEAN. Especially the bolt threads. I haven't done one on an 88 cherokee but I use No.2 permatex. Some will disagree and they use silicone. Do you have a torque wrench available. After I snapped the head off of two bolts, I surrendered and got one.

Jewel · #4 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 08:42 PM

Thank you for the two responses I recieved regarding, my water pump. I have replaced numerous of things on my jeep since I have owned it. I feel I could replace it myself, but I cannot replace it till the end of the month, and if I need help I will certainly write. I live a long ways from town so I have to make sure if I miss up that I can afford to have my rig down for a day or two.

I have replaced the thermostat and a lower hose (large one), not to long ago. I have watched this problem for a long time. Though today I noticed it was not leaking nor was everything soaked from it. I have to go to town tomorrow so I will check once again when I leave the parking lot. I do not have a torque wrench, but I will soon . . . sounds like a handy thing to own. Though I have plenty of tools . . . I do remember the person who checked out my rig told me to tighten down my hoses. I do hear an odd noise from it occassionally.

Thank you, Kindly . . . Jewel

SteelHeadz · #5 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 08:46 PM

Your welcome. As long as you have the waterpump and gasket at hand and a gasket sealer(if you decide to use one), you should be fine. Just keep your puter on and ask any questions you have if you need our help. Welcome to Jeepz.

Jewel · #6 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009, 01:36 AM

Hello,

Well, my Jeep made it home but, as I entered my parking spot I saw some steam like coming from the engine. When I opened up my hood antifreeze came pouring out of the bottom. I am assume my water pump no longer functions. My Jeep has sat for quite a few days because of the rains my area has been experiencing, though today I went to start pulling it apart.

Question . . . do I really need to pull off my cooling and radiator fan shrouds (as this is what it says, in my Jeep book). There appears to be enough room to remove the four bolts that are visible. And which bolts are reversed . . . ?

Peace, Jewel

SteelHeadz · #7 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009, 07:53 AM

You can pull the water pump without removing the fan schroud module but you might not see all the gasket surface that needs to be cleaned prior to installing the new pump. As for a reversed bolt?!?!, i've never encountered one on that engine..Righty tighty, lefty loosey is the name of the game..

Jewel · #8 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009, 12:25 PM

Thank you for your knowledge . . . I am a bit ignorant on this kind of stuff. It has always been on a wing of a prayer. Anyway, my book says, some vehicles use a serpentine drive belt and have a reverse rotating water pump coupled with a viscous fan assembly. These items have reverse stamped on the cover, the word REV is cast into the body of the water pump. ???? So, this is why I wondered about a reverse bolt . . . may be just my ignorance . . .

Do I need to hold anything in place regarding my serpentine belt ?

My rig is parked outside and I am going to try to work on it between rains today . . . thank you once again for responding

Jewel

Jewel · #9 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 10:53 AM

Well, thanks to all that replied to my post. In my last post I mentioned items that had REV and reverse stamped on the cover as I removed bolts to my water pump I came across such stamped on my parts.

I removed the water pump and now have to put it all back together.

Thanks for your support, Jewel

SteelHeadz · #10 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 01:43 PM

Sorry if i came in late.. The impeller is what you need to pay attention to.. Match it up with the new one and make sure it's identical with the direction of the impeller fins..