Hello,

So I searched this forum for waterpump and water pump and could not find anything on how to replace it. My mechanic does not want the job and said it sucks. Anyone done this on a 3.3 liter? Is there a write up on this that I am missing? I also searched th DIY thread in the sticky section and didnt see anything on the water pump. My model year is a 2005. Any help would be appreciated.

 

REMOVAL

1. Drain the cooling system. (Refer to 7 - COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE)
2. Remove the accessory drive belt shield.
3. Remove the accessory drive belt. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS - REMOVAL)
4. Remove water pump pulley bolts (Water Pump - 3.8L Engine). NOTE: To remove the water pump pulley, it MUST first be positioned between water pump housing and drive hub. The pulley can then be removed with the water pump assembly.
5. Rotate pulley until openings in pulley align with water pump drive hub spokes (Water Pump Pulley Positioning). Move pulley inward between pump housing and hub (Water Pump Pulley Positioning).
6. Position pulley to allow access to water pump mounting bolts. Remove water pump mounting bolts (Water Pump Bolts - 3.3/3.8L Engine (Shown Without Pulley)).
7. Remove water pump with the pulley loosely positioned between hub and the pump body.
8. Remove and discard the seal.
9. Clean seal groove and sealing surfaces on pump and timing chain case cover. Take care not to scratch or gouge sealing surfaces.

INSTALLATION

1. Install new seal into water pump housing groove (WATER PUMP SEAL). NOTE: The water pump pulley MUST be positioned loosely between the pump housing and drive hub BEFORE water pump installation.
2. Position the water pump pulley loosely between pump housing and drive hub (Water Pump Pulley Positioning).
3. Install water pump and pulley to the timing chain case cover (Water Pump - 3.8L Engine). Tighten water pump bolts to 12 N·m (105 in. lbs.).
4. Position pulley on water pump hub. Install bolts and tighten to 28 N·m (250 in. lbs.) (Water Pump - 3.8L Engine).
5. Rotate pump by hand to check for freedom of movement.
6. Install the accessory drive belt. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS - INSTALLATION)
7. Install drive belt shield.
8. Fill the cooling system. (Refer to 7 - COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE

 

For a mechanic, these are great jobs. Easy to do, good pay, I don't know what he's thinking. Suck is a water pump on a minivan 3.0l.

 

Thank you for giving me that information. I pulled this up on Chiltons and I do not quite understand this part. Can you anyone dumb this down for me? "NOTE: To remove the water pump pulley, it MUST first be positioned between water pump housing and drive hub. The pulley can then be removed with the water pump assembly. " How does the pump pully move from this location. Isnt it alway between the waterpump housing and the drive hub? Or are they talking about the notch on it in the first picture?

 

maybe his not a good mechanic that he is not familiar with this vehicle in particular. either way it probably be a good job if you good with tools.

 

The pulley has to be removed from the pump but will not come out. It must be pushed back against the pump and it all comes out together.

It will also help to raise the van onto jack stands and remove the passenger side front wheel.

You will find that the frame will be in the way and will not let the water pump to drop down and out. The motor can be lowered by loosening the 2 bolts that support the motor at the top left of the engine as you are looking at it from the front. Do not remove the bolts, loosen about 2 inches. This will allow the pump to clear the frame.

A little silicone sealant will help to hold the O-ring gasket in place when installing the pump.

 

I chose not to do mine myself and the mechanic I took it to said he had to drop the engine a couple of inches to get the pump out.

 

yeah, nothing wrong with that. If you got a big floor jack, put it under the Cradle, loosen the Sub-frame bolt, and slowly lower the floor jack. This is like the easier Waterpump on all Dodge transverse mounted engines.

 

Maybe a visual will help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iuOD62LkFE

 

Just put a prybar between the tensioner bolt and the frame and push the engine back. The pump falls right out and no screwing around with the mount.