I’m trying to determine the cause and effect here.
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee - 270,000 Kms
Replaced the water pump myself at maybe 130,000 Kms: not too difficult.
Had the water pump replaced again at 230,000 Kms. Had the shop do it this time; didn’t want the hassle.
This winter has been cold. Maybe 8 or 10 mornings this winter after starting the Jeep the power steering is frozen. In fact I’m really not able to turn the wheel at all. After as little as 30 to 60 seconds I can hear the power steering kick in and off I go. This has typically happened every morning this winter when the temperature was below maybe -20C. It’s never happened in the last 6 winters that I’ve owned the vehicle.
So, now my water pump is pooched again. It’s leaking like a sieve in exactly the same way as it was before the last two replacements. I could almost buy into the fact that a reconditioned pump would last only 100,000 Kms. the first time, but now I’m looking at a replacement after only 40,000 Kms.
So, could the frozen power steering (I don’t know if it’s the pump, the rack-and-pinion etc.) have placed undue stress on the water pump bearings and caused an early failure? Or am I just unlucky with reconditioned water pumps? Oh, and what should I do about the power steering to stop freezing up in the morning? I’m sure this can’t be a good thing to wait out.
My first thought is that the problems are probably not related.
A delay in power steering function with the first morning start in cold weather is a typical symptom (dubbed “morning sickness”) of a worn steering rack. However, your vehicle* has a steering gearbox rather than a rack & pinion. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s an analogous problem, but I can’t say I know whether it would be in the gearbox, pump, or pressure control valve.
As to the water pump leakage, there are several factors that could shorten its life. It could just be (bad) luck of the draw - some individual parts last longer, and some shorter, than average. An overly tight drive belt could stress it. Corrosion and/or acidity in the coolant could erode its seal. But I can’t think of how the power steering would affect the water pump, or vice versa.
You might buy some time on the power steering situation by using a power steering fluid additive (sorry, I don’t know a specific product to recommend). I have seen Bar’s Leaks stop a stream-pissing water pump (lasted 6 months), but it’s not a sure bet whether, and if so for how long, it might work here. You’ll need to replace the pump. I’d recommend flush the cooling system if necessary and make sure the belt tension is correct. While I’m not afraid to use a rebuilt pump, I’d suggest compare the price of a new one - sometimes there’s not a big price difference.
*I had to guess whether it had 4WD and what size engine it had. Probably the same steering system for all versions, but without all the pertinent vehicle info I can’t know for sure.
To expound on this point a bit: The drive belt may slip on a pulley that’s particularly stiff to turn. In doing so it will make a squealing noise. The belt may get glazed or chewed up. The other pulleys, however will simply continue to turn normally with the belt. A pulley may affect the belt, but a pulley won’t be affected by the belt (other than by excessive tightness) or by another pulley.