How is the metal tube attached to the water pump on a 97 jeep grand cherokee v8

right, for the 4 liter,

1. Loosen the rear power steering pump mounting bolts using a ratchet and 13mm socket or a 13mm box wrench.
   
2. Loosen the pump upper pivot bolt, lower locknut and the pump adjusting bolt using a ratchet and 13mm socket or a 13mm box wrench.

For the V8

1. Attach a socket or wrench to the pulley mounting bolt on the automatic tensioner and rotate the tensioner assembly clockwise until the tension has been removed from the belt.
   
2. Remove the belt from the idler pulley first and then from the vehicle.

in the 5.2L V8 engine the coolant sensor is located on top of the engine. Locate the coolant thick hose coming from top of the ratiator to the top of the engine. Look at the place such hose connects to the engine you wont miss the sensor it is about one inch from there.

Sound like a bad water pump.

DIY for around $65.00

I'm assuming that your Jeep have a 5.2L V8 engine (as mine), then check this procedure...

Grand Cherokee 5.2L Engines
(see Figure 6)

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Open the radiator valve and drain the cooling system.
3. Remove the cooling fan and shroud as an assembly.
4. Remove the accessory drive belt.
5. Remove the water pump pulley from the hub.
6. Disconnect the hoses from the water pump.
7. Loosen the heater hose coolant return tube mounting bolt and nut and remove the tube. Discard the O-ring.

Fig. 6: Water pump mounting bolt locations

1. Remove the water pump mounting bolts.
2. Loosen the clamp at the water pump end of the bypass hose. Slip the bypass hose from the water pump while removing the pump from the engine. Discard the gasket.
   

To install:

1. Clean all gasket mating surfaces.
2. Guide the water pump and new gasket into position while connecting the bypass hose to the pump. Tighten the water pump bolts to 30 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).
3. Install the bypass hose clamp.
4. Spin the water pump to ensure the pump impeller does not rub against the timing chain cover.
5. Coat a new O-ring with coolant and install it to the heater hose coolant return tube.
6. Install the coolant return tube to the engine. Ensure the slot in the tube bracket is bottomed to the mounting bolt. This will properly position the return tube.
7. Connect the radiator hose to the water pump.
8. Connect the heater hose and clamp to the return tube.
9. Install the water pump pulley and tighten the bolts to 20 ft. lbs. (27 Nm).
10. Install the accessory drive belt.
11. Install the cooling fan and shroud.
12. Fill the cooling system.
13. Connect the negative battery cable.
14. Start the engine and check for leaks.

Other details can find in your repair manual ZJ-Secc-7-Cooling-System

Hope thats help.

Pull the alternator brackets and front engine brackets off until you get to the water pump. You will also need to remove the fan shroud and then the fan. Remove the water pump and then you will see an aluminum cover and that will be your timing cover. remove the cover and clean all the gasket off the engine and the cover. use a razor blade, and make sure there in no oil or grease on the parts where the gasket lies. Put your gasket on, bolt the cover back on with the new gasket and repeat the teardown process in reverse.

Yes you can remove the tube if its a V8. If its an inline 6 cylinder you have to remove the pump in order to repair the heater pipe.

it is pressed onto water pump..will not come off when you remove fan clutch

With the water pump removed, you have to heat the body of the water pump. There is a O-Ring that seizes the tube into the water pump. Sometimes you can just loosen the bolt and heat the pump with it still bolted up the engine. Use some pliers to wiggle the tube while pulling the tube. When you put it back together replace the o-ring and add some rtv sealant around the o-ring too. This helps the seizing problem. Hope this helps
James
Chrysler Tech

1997 jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2 liter V8. Water Pump. When I remove the big nut to remove the clutch fan. Will that lose the pulley that's attached to the water pump? I don't see bolts holding pulley wheel to the water pump? Is it pressed on or will it become loose when I remove clutch fan nut?

there is a bracket attached to the pipe just above the water pump bolts (this bolt looks similar to the water pump bolts). there is also a bracket attached to a long, thin bolt just under the valve covers on the drivers side. you'll need a long socket to get to this one. once those two brackets are freed up, you should be able to work the heater hose out of the hole in the water pump. of course, that metal pipe attaches to a rubber hose about halfway back from the water pump to the firewall, so you'll want to undo the hose clamp that holds it in place and slide the metal pipe out of the rubber hose.

i'm not sure what you have in mind, but this should let you accomplish it. note that there is an o-ring that fits on the water pump end of that metal pipe. it's included when you buy the water pump.

have fun and be careful.