Question about changing a water pump

[04 LJ]

Started this project a couple weeks ago and just got to the water pump last weekend. The Jeep has been sitting since late last summer (don’t drive it in Winter) and it seems mighty rusty in there where the water/coolant line has been sitting. Is that a problem? I flushed, filled and ran with distilled water multiple times and still managed to find coolant in the block behind the old pump. Second question is no matter what I stuff in the hole, I somehow manage to keep getting pieces of the old gasket inside the block floating in the old coolant. I try to fish them out with a q tip but if any is left behind will that be detrimental to the new pump and this whole project (complete cooling system overhaul)? Thanks.

 

[04 LJ]

Wow. Nobody?

Bump.

 

[ftwhite3]

Yours doesn't look any more rusty than mine did. There are recommendations for additives to flush the system, but I don't really see it as required except for extreme cases or rust and scale deposits. Keeping chunks of gasket out was a pita. Not sure if little chunks will clog radiator tubes but it would take a lot to cause failure. Just my opinion.

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[Chris]

That rust is there because at some point someone put tap water (or hose water) in the system, which causes the rust in cooling systems. This is why you should only use pre-mixed coolant, or if you absolutely have to use water, make sure it's distilled.

Anyways, you already know this, and it's not your fault (obviously it's one of the previous owners). That rust isn't going anywhere though unless you have the engine taken apart and media blasted. That being said, don't worry about the rust. Just fill it with the proper coolant and flush it with distilled water like you already have.

As for little pieces of the gasket floating around in there, that's not the end of the world, and you'll be just fine. Just make sure you get any big pieces out that you can. If you have a small vacuum extension or suction device that will fit in any of those crevices, use it to blow any material out that you can see. But, you should be fine though, so I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[04 LJ]

Thanks guys. Thought about using a turkey baster to try and suck any shit out and then also to shoot fresh distilled water in there to “rinse” it out. Of course that’s after I get the fu@$ing gasket off 3 years from now

 

[Steel City 06]

You might also consider using a chemical flush to clean some of the crud out. The risk is it could also uncover leaks currently plugged up with crud

 

[04 LJ]

You might also consider using a chemical flush to clean some of the crud out. The risk is it could also uncover leaks currently plugged up with crud

I’m overhauling the entire cooling system (rad, lines, water pump, therm, therm housing etc) and hate to run a chemical flush through all my brand new parts.