How to Change the Water Pump on a 3.3 Liter Dodge Engine

The water pump on the Dodge Caravan 3.3-liter engine needs to be changed if it leaks or if the bearings go out. The bearings make a grinding noise when they malfunction. Occasionally, you may have a pump where the pulley wobbles on the front of the pump, in which case, the pump itself usually needs to be replaced -- the pulley itself seldom malfunctions.

Instructions

1

Slide the drain pan under the radiator petcock. Ensure that the engine is cold, then open the petcock and allow the coolant to drain. Remove the radiator cap for faster draining. Discard the coolant in an appropriate manner -- it is illegal to dump it into the ground or in a septic/sewer system.

2

Fit the appropriate socket on the bolt in the center of the accessory drive belt tensioner. Rotate the tensioner toward the center of the engine to loosen tension on the belt. Lift the belt off the pulleys.

3

Break the lug nuts on the right-front tire loose, but do not remove them, using the lug wrench. Jack the vehicle up with the floor jack, then support it with jack stands. Remove the right-front tire. Remove the lower fender shield.

4

Remove the water pump pulley using the appropriate socket. Remove the five water pump-to-engine mounting screws from the water pump, then pull the water pump off the engine. Put the water pump in the box in place of the new one, if the store charges a core fee (core fees are charged on many parts, to encourage the customer to return old parts to the store, as the store has the old parts remanufactured).

5

Install the new O-ring on the new pump. Position the water pump against the engine, then install the mounting bolts by hand as far as they will go. Tighten the bolts to 21 foot-pounds of torque. Install the water pump pulley and tighten the bolts firmly.

6

Reinstall the fender shield and the front wheel. Lower the vehicle off the jack stands, using the floor jack. Route the accessory belt around the pulleys, then rotate the tensioner toward the center of the engine and slide the belt over the tensioner pulley. Allow the pulley to gently rotate into place and put pressure on the drive belt.