Water pump...new engine?

[Big Mike C.]

Just received a 2001 Ranger XLT 4X4 (auto) from my father-in-law. (saved from the junkyard)...he said he was doing 85mph when the water pump went out. He took it somewhere and they told him it would be $2800 to fix it. It has been sitting for a few years. The surge tank was full, but the radiator was empty...it is leaking heavily from the water pump and obviously needs to be replaced. The engine turns over and there is no visible damage to the block, the oil looks good and is not milky. I have located another 4.0 for a reasonable price, but if I can avoid a swap and can fix what I have that would be preferred. I have been messing with full size Broncos for almost a decade and have replaced engines, trans and axles. I do have some mechanical abilities but consider myself shade tree...any recommendations or input would be greatly appreciated. It is a nice truck and I would hate to have to junk it...thanks in advance...

Mike

 

[RonD]

I would think worst case would be blown head gasket or cracked head.

You can do a compression test but that usually won't tell you if there is a small leak in the gasket.

If cooling system hoses are all still connected you can try a "glove test", not sure it will work with the water pump having a leak but it might.

remove rad cap and over flow hose from rad.
Place a latex glove over rad cap opening and use a rubber band to seal it, get a vacuum cap off the intake and place it over the overflow tube or use a short hose with a bolt in it as a cap.
Cooling system should be sealed up now(not counting the water pump??)

Turn over engine, if there is a crack or leak in a cylinder then the glove will bounce around because compression is getting into the cooling system.
If you want to find out which cylinder then remove all spark plugs, put 1 back in and turn over engine, watch glove.
Repeat for each cylinder until glove jumps, that's the cylinder with the leak.

 

[adsm08]

My opinion from what you have described, I would buy a water pump, throw it in, and drive it. If it runs, run it until it blows. If it doesn't go get the other engine and put your new water pump on it.

 

[Big Mike C.]

Thanks for the replies, I will try the glove or may just pull the heads while I am replacing the water pump...if I can get her to run I may just run her until she blows...