Here is my problem. Yesterday I go out to my truck and start it up. Everything is fine, I come back out to it to go out and I noticed antifreeze was leaking from the middle part of my truck. I figure it's my water pump right? I went to Advanced Auto and got a new one. Any big things I need to worry about or take caution to when I'm replacing it? Do I need to remove the AC Compressor? Does anyone know of a guide to installing it, a "how to gudie"?
Any advice is greatly appriciated.

 

Did you look at the water pump to find leakage? There are hoses that can be the culprit too. Just want to make sure that you checked first.

As far as things to look for, did you get a bypass hose at the same time? You will need this as it is the best time to replace it. And yes, the AC compressor, alternator and the mounting bracket will have to be removed. The AC compressor can just be swung back out of the way. Get new clamps while you are doing this as well.

 

I didn't look at the water pump exactly. Just kind of figured thats what it was. The hoses are pretty new. They've only been on a little more than a year and the truck has been drivin less than 1500 miles since the new hoses were put on. I got the new water pump already but I need to run back and get the bypass hose. Do you know of any How To Gudies to doing this?
Thanks

 

Heynes Manual.
Its pretty staright forward. Take the fan clutch off, compressor (hold it out of the way without disconnecting the lines), alternator, and accessory bracket. This way you can get to the bypass hose. Just pay attention to what you take off so you can put it back in the same spot.

 

The fan clutch will take a 32mm wrench and a hammer to break it loose. Or you can use a air hammer with the right attachment. Drain coolant from radiator, remove fan and shroud together, then just start removing bolts. Make sure you disconnect the battery before removing alternator. Just make sure that you clean the surface of the block really well, or you will still leak.

 

I'll be doing one on a Grand Cherokee tomorrow at work.

 

Thanks for the help. I should be getting to it Friday or Saturday. Any ideas how long this should take if everything is done correctly? Also, the bypass hose, is it a special hose? Could I just run down the the home depot and get another hose?

 

you can get the bypass hose from Dodge or most other parst suppliers. I suggest going that route as the hose is not a straight shot, and if you don't get the special one, you'll end up with a kink. It's not that expensive and definately worth it.
As far as how long it should take, I've done it a few times so it only takes me a couple of hours. I'd say average is 3-4 including scraping of the block (that's where all the time is.)

Oh, and a correction on my las post, the fan clutch nut is a 36mm monster.

 

Well i have only done it once and it was in a KOA campground at 9 pm, and my dad and i got it knocked out in 3 hours, and that was with us doing it with mini maglites held in our mouths to see what we were doing. Also one of the bolt head was snapped off but we had to get it off and we did. So 3-4 is quite accurate.