Loss of coolant....can I damage water pump with engine startup???

TJM · 2004-07-21T22:54:20+00:00

The stock radiator on my '95 Grand Cherokee Limited (4.0L 6-cyl.) is leakingpretty bad for last couple days. I crawled under the front of the vehicle andcant see an obvious pinhole or cracked seam due to the fan shroud blocking theview, but the entire bottom seal on the radiator is soaked with green fluid, andits leaking all over the parking lot. I poured in half gal. of coolant lastnight to see what would happen, and its been leaking green juice all night & dayonto aforementioned parking lot.I think I might be able to drive the vehicle a couple miles to the localdealership or radiator shop to get it looked at.....but am I risking water pumpdamage if there is no coolant in the radiator? Do water pumps need fluid tooperate.....or can they run dry? I'd hate to add a costly water pumpreplacement on top of a radiator fix.Thanks for the help.....