Hey, I have a 1999 dodge ram van 3500 5.9 liter/360. It sat for about 6 months, because the rear end went out... Well, I replaced the rear end, and the front caliper was seized... fixed that and there's a coolant leak. Looks like its coming from the water pump. Was looking into replacing that and I have watched some videos and looked at my manual, all makes sense, except none of the videos or manuals have dealt with these hoses in the way of taking the fan and shroud off... (see pictures)... looks like a couple of em at least are 134a hoses. anyone dealt with this? or has ideas on how to? Thanks in advance.

 

There may be a better way, but I just pulled the front stuff out of the way (grill, air cond stuff, etc.) , you can swing it around and tie it somewhere, then pull the rad. Gives you more room to work. I also changed the timing set while I was there.

 

On my 94, the intake air hose front has two clips that pop off, the rear slides right off the air filter housing.

After draining coolant, simply remove the top rad hose.

As for the shroud, well that thing is a PITA. Eventually I decided it was easier to saw the top piece in half. I then drilled a series of holes along the cut edges on both pieces and 'tie' it back together with zip ties when I put it back on.

You may be able to work from the dog house. You might have some room to play with on those ac lines by removing some brackets/comprssor, etc and bending at rubber hose areas. With mine, looking how brittle they already are, I didn't want to take any chances so worked around those lines.

If you're replacing the t-stat, super stants are widely recommended. Also you should definitely replace the bypass hose while you're at and the the heater hose by the t-stat.

 

However you do it, it's a PITA. The fan shroud is in two pieces top and bottom, you can unbolt them on the sides, pull the bottom half out of the bottom, and just push the top half over the fan and let it sit there until you get the rad out. The first van ('94) I had to change the waterpump on I had a shop do it. Cost me about $550 American - but they did a great job and three years later, still no leaks. Since I had 185,000 mi. on this one, I wanted to change the timing gears, also, so decided to do it all myself. Note that the bolts for the waterpump are different lengths - make sure you get the right one back in the right hole.

 

Disconnect the 2-wire connector from the compressor, unbolt it, and then pull it forward to get it's hoses out of the way.

 

Thanks for all the replies. In regards to removing the two lines where they go into the compressor, is there no concern of exposing/draining refrigerant that potentially travels through those hoses?

 

There is oil in the compressor that could drain out if you were to hold it up real high. As long as you unbolt it and pull it forward you have nothing to be concerned over. As to refrigerant, that's a non issue, nothing will happen to it.

 

to clarify, i believe the suggestion is to unbolt/remove the compressor while leaving the attached lines connected

 

are you sure it is the water pump?


The thermostat housing and bypass hose are right above the water pump. Both are notorious for leaking - esp the thermostat housing - it rots for the inside out.


Also, about the drip stains on top of the top radiator hose - when I saw those on mine, was indicative that the radiator was leaking...


good luck

 

Yes, this is true. It I recall, there are 4 or 5 bolts. One is a different size than the others. Two or three from standing outside the van and the others with the dog-house cover off.

Also, with those AC lines, you will need something to prop them out of the way too.