How to Remove a Water Pump from a 1998 Dodge Dakota 4 CYL

The water pump on the 1998 Dodge Dakota with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder is attached to the timing chain cover on the engine and pumps coolant through the coolant passages of the engine to the heater core. The water pump is a reverse rotation, or counterclockwise water pump, which means the water pump impeller rotates the opposite direction of the crankshaft. Make sure there is an R stamped on the new water pump before you start installing the pump.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake. Lift the vehicle hood and support it with the hood prop rod. Allow the engine to completely cool before continuing.

2

Loosen the coolant pressure cap until a hissing noise is heard, and wait until the hissing noise dissipates. Remove the coolant pressure cap.

3

Lift the front of the truck into the air with the floor jack and place the jack stands under the front frame rails of the truck. Lower the floor jack until the truck rests securely on the jack stands. Remove the floor jack.

4

Place the large drain pan under the engine block. Locate the coolant drain plug just below the exhaust manifold on the right side of the engine block. Place the square end of the ratchet into the hole on the coolant drain plug and rotate the coolant drain plug counterclockwise. Remove the drain plug and allow the coolant to drain into the drain pan.

5

Clean the threads of the coolant drain plug with a wire brush. Apply a coat of thread sealant to the threads of the drain plug and install the drain plug into the engine block. Tighten the drain plug to 30 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.

6

Draw out a sketch of the accessory belt routing on piece of paper. Loosen the center bolt for the idler pulley, and then loosen the tension adjuster bolt located at the top left of the idler pulley. Remove the drive belt from the engine.

7

Remove the three power steering pump mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet. Rotate the power steering pump pulley, and use the access holes in the pulley to remove the bolts. Lift the power steering pump away from the bracket and set it aside. Do not remove the power steering hoses.

8

Squeeze the pressure clamps for the lower radiator hose and the heater hose at the water pump, with the pliers. Slide the clamps down the hoses. Remove the lower radiator hose from the water pump. Remove the heater hose from the heater hose fitting on the water pump.

9

Place a small pry bar into the hole on the water pump pulley. Remove the four pulley mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet, using the pry bar to prevent pulley rotation.

10

Remove the four bolts that mount the water pump to the timing cover with the socket and ratchet. Make a note that the bottom right bolt is longer than the other three bolts. Remove the water pump and gasket from the engine.

11

Rotate the heater hose fitting counterclockwise and remove it from the old water pump.

Installation

12

Clean the threads of the heater hose fitting with the wire brush and apply a coat of thread sealant to the threads. Install the heater hose fitting to the new water pump, rotating it clockwise until tight.

13

Clean the mating surface at the timing cover with the wire brush to remove any old gasket material. Place the water pump gasket onto the new water pump with the silicone bead facing the water pump.

14

Place the water pump onto the engine and install the water pump mounting bolts. Tighten the mounting bolts to 22 foot-pounds of torque. Rotate the pulley to ensure it turns freely.

15

Slide the lower radiator hose over the water pump. Squeeze the pressure clamp with the pliers and slide it up the radiator hose until it can secure the hose to the water pump, and release the clamp. Place the heater hose onto the heater hose fitting. Slide the pressure clamp up the hose until it will secure the hose to the heater hose fitting and release the pressure clamp.

16

Install the water pump pulley onto the water pump shaft and tighten the mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet. Place a small pry bar through the pulley hole to prevent the pulley from rotating when tightening the bolts.

17

Set the power steering pump into position. Install the mounting bolts and tighten them to 21 foot-pounds of torque, with the torque wrench.

18

Route the accessory drive belt around the pulley system, exactly the way it was before. Use the previously made sketch as a reference. Tighten the adjuster bolt for the idler pulley until there is -inch of play when pushing on the belt with your thumb. Tighten the center bolt for the idler pulley to 42 foot-pounds of torque.

19

Fill the cooling system with fresh 50-50 green coolant until the radiator is full. Fill the coolant reservoir to the full mark with fresh coolant.

20

Start the engine with the radiator cap off, and allow it to reach operating temperature. Add coolant to the radiator as the coolant drops until the engine is fully warmed up. Replace the radiator cap and shut off the engine.

21

Lift the truck off of the jack stands with the floor jack, and remove the jack stands from under the vehicle. Lower the truck to the ground and shut the hood.