How to Replace the Water Pump on a 1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo

The 1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo came equipped with a 4.0-liter V-6 engine. Replacing the water pump on the Cherokee increases the engine life by lowering the overall temperature of the engine. Lowering engine temperature reduces severe wear on the engine's components and adds fuel efficiency to the vehicle. You can purchase all of the tools and parts to complete this job at your local auto parts store.

Instructions

1

Set a drain pan underneath the front of the engine. Remove the fan shroud using a 3/8-drive ratchet and socket set. Remove the serpentine belt by loosening the tensioner assembly on the front of the engine.

2

Close off the radiator hose to the water pump with your radiator hose pliers. Remove the radiator hose from the water pump.

3

Remove the water pump pulley using the screwdriver to lock the pulley while removing the bolts. Remove the water pump mounting bolts. Pry the water pump from the front of the engine using a screwdriver or pry bar for leverage if necessary.

4

Scrape all of the gasket material off the engine mounting surface. Use a straight razor for scraping and a small wire brush to clean off all of the old gasket residue. Spray a rag with engine parts cleaner and wipe the mounting surfaces clean on the engine and the new pump. Do not spray the engine parts cleaner directly onto the new water pump or the engine mounting surface, as this will damage the internal parts of your engine.

5

Add a thin line of gasket sealer or gasket maker to the water pump mounting surface. Place the new gasket onto the water pump and align the bolt holes. Add a line of gasket sealer or maker to the engine mounting surface. Wipe off excess sealer to make sure it does not enter the engine's cooling system. Place the entire water pump assembly flush with the engine mounting surface and start threading the bolts using only your fingers.

6

Tighten the bolts on the water pump between 45 and 60 foot-pounds of torque. Do not over-tighten bolts as this will damage both the new gasket and the seal. Replace the water pump pulley and torque the pulley bolts between 45 and 60 foot-pounds. Reinstall and tighten the serpentine belt using the belt tensioner.

7

Fill the radiator with fresh coolant. Do not reuse the coolant that fell into the drip pan as it is now contaminated and will ruin your engine's cooling system. Start the engine with the radiator cap removed and let it idle for no less than 15 minutes. Top off the radiator and the radiator overflow bottle with fresh coolant. Reinstall the radiator shroud.