How to Remove a Water Pump in a Dodge Truck

Dodge trucks utilize a mechanical water pump to circulate antifreeze throughout the engine to keep the engine at a stable temperature. The water pump on a Dodge truck is considered a wearable part, and may develop leaks over time. Leaks in your Dodge truck's cooling system may eventually lead to overheating, which in turn can severely damage your truck's engine.

Instructions

Removing the Radiator

1

Disconnect the ground cable from the negative battery terminal by loosening the retaining bolt and pulling the clamp off the terminal.

2

Drain the cooling system. Locate the petcock valve on the lower right corner of the radiator. Place a waste oil collection pan underneath the petcock valve. Use needle-nose pliers to loosen the petcock valve by turning it counterclockwise. Allow the radiator to drain completely, then close the petcock valve.

3

Remove the upper radiator hose. Using a Phillips screwdriver, loosen the hose clamps that secure the upper radiator hose to the radiator and engine. Then pull the hose off the fittings to remove it from the vehicle.

4

Remove the lower radiator hose. Using a Phillips screwdriver, loosen the hose clamps that secure the lower radiator hose to the radiator and engine. Then pull the hose off the fittings to remove it from the vehicle.

5

Remove the nuts--using a socket--that connect the engine fan shroud to the radiator. Slide the fan shroud back towards the engine.

6

Use a wrench to disconnect the transmission cooler lines if your Dodge truck is equipped with an automatic transmission.

7

Remove the bolts--using a socket--that secure the radiator to the core support.

8

Lift the radiator out of the engine bay, and remove it from the vehicle.

9

Lift the fan shroud away from the engine and remove it from the vehicle.

Removing the Water Pump

10

Disconnect the alternator support bracket. Loosen the alternator mounting bolts and slide it towards the engine. Remove the drive belt. Place a wood block underneath the alternator to support it. Then remove the bolts that thread into the water pump that hold the support bracket. Slide the bracket out of the way.

11

Disconnect the power steering support bracket. Loosen the power steering pump mounting bolts using a socket, and slide the pump towards the engine. Remove the drive belt. Remove the bolt that passes through the support bracket, and threads into the water pump. Support the power steering pump using plastic wire ties.

12

Remove the engine fan, spacer and pulley on the front of the water pump as an assembly. Remove the four bolts that connect the engine fan, spacer and pulley to the water pump. Then remove these components from the vehicle.

13

Disconnect the heater hose from the water pump. Use a Phillips screwdriver to loosen the hose clamp and pull the heater hose off the water pump.

14

Remove the remaining bolts--using a socket--that connect the water pump to the engine block.

15

Remove the water pump from the vehicle.