Easy way to test the thermostat idea is just to remove it completely. That
is an easy item to completely eliminate. If your temp stays way low you
know you found your problem, if the temp raises still you know that you
can't blame the thermostat any longer.


"Jerry Bransford" > wrote in message
news:OfPDe.18561$Eo.6601@fed1read04...
> That would make me think stuck thermostat, certainly not the water pump.
>
> YouGoFirst wrote:
>>>My 2 cents. A water pump is a very simple device. There are only four
>>>things that can go bad, the bearings, the seal, the impeller, and
>>>miscellaneous leaks. You would hear the bearings if bad, or the fan
>>>shaft
>>>would be loose. I assume that you would spot a seal problem or any
>>>leaks.
>>>Loss of fluid and dripping would be your first clue. Now if the impeller
>>>were bad, then you would get poor circulation, but also at speed.
>>>
>>>I think we can assume that the pump is not the problem, although you
>>>would
>>>have to remove and inspect it to be absolutely sure. On some vehicles,
>>>you
>>>can take off the pressure cap and visually verify coolant flow, short of
>>>this. I do not know whether you can do so with the GC. Do not try it
>>>with
>>>the engine hot. Take off the cap with the engine cool, warm it up, and
>>>note
>>>what happens. If you wait long enough, and the engine is really running
>>>235, it may boil over. Oops! What you are looking for, is movement in
>>>the
>>>coolant before this.
>>>
>>>Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about the gauge, unless the system
>>>is
>>>boiling over. Then, you have real problems. If it really bothers you, I
>>>have some suggestions. Install those hood vents that someone mentioned.
>>>Buy or fabricate shims to lift up the back of the hood, like the ricers
>>>with
>>>big engines do. Load up the GC with camping gear, and head for the
>>>mountains. It's pretty hot up here even, but the Channel 9 weather girl
>>>says it's going to cool down by Saturday. She's hot too, but in a
>>>different
>>>way.
>>>
>>
>>
>> I am leaning more towards a bad impeller because I noticed thismorning as
>> I
>> was driving into work earlier than normal, that the temperature didn't
>> get
>> up to its normal 190 until I had slowed down below 35 mph. That would
>> make
>> me think that the coolant isn't moving through the radiator fast enough.
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Jerry Bransford
> PP-ASEL N6TAY
> See the Geezer Jeep at
> http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/