How to Replace the Water Pump on the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Engine overheating on your 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee may be an indication that your water pump is be failing. A "duck" sound while the engine is running or finding a green puddle of engine coolant are also signs that it may be time for a new water pump. Replacing your water pump is a very common and expensive repair performed at auto-repair facilities every day, yet you can replace the water pump right in your own garage.

Instructions

Removal

1

Raise and secure the Jeep Grand Cherokee engine hood. Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the car battery post with a wrench.

2

Press down and turn the radiator cap counterclockwise with your hand until it pops open; remove it. Place the large drain container beneath the radiator drain plug.

3

Loosen the radiator drain plug, from the bottom of the radiator, by turning it counterclockwise with the wrench, allowing the coolant to drain. Once the coolant has drained from the radiator, scoot the drain container beneath the engine block.

4

Remove the engine block drain plug by turning it counterclockwise with the wrench. On four-cylinder and inline-six engines, the drain plug is beneath the driver's side of the engine block, below the exhaust manifold. On V-6 engines, there are two drain plugs located near the rear and driver's side of the engine block.

5

Insert the tip of the garden hose into the top of the radiator. Turn on the hose and allow it to run through the radiator and engine block. The water will appear green in color at first. Flush the radiator and engine block until the water runs clear. Turn off the hose and remove it from the radiator.

6

Unplug the cooling fan wire harness on the main engine fan by pulling the black connector apart. Remove the four mounting bolts on either side of the fan shroud with the wrench and carefully lift the fan out of the engine compartment.

7

Loosen the tension pulley by inserting a breaker bar inside the small opening located towards the bottom of the tension pulley and turn clockwise, toward the ground. For inline-six (I6) engines, loosen the four water pump pulley bolts with a ratchet wrench. Lift and remove the loosened drive belt from around all engine pulleys.

8

Remove the two hoses from the water pump by detaching their clamps. If they're stuck, twist them with the wrench to break the seal and pry them off. Remove all accessory brackets from the water pump. Remove the water pump mounting bolts using the ratchet wrench and appropriate socket and pull the water pump and gasket off. Make note of the placement of the mounting bolts because there will be different sizes.

Installation

9

Clean and remove all traces of old gasket sealant and dirt from the mounting surface using the gasket scraper, or putty knife, and shop towels.

10

Apply an even coat of RTV sealant to the engine side of the new water pump gasket and to the mounting surface of the new water pump, then press the two together. Slide a mounting bolt or two through the pump mounting holes to hold the gasket in place on the new pump while the sealant air-ries for a few minutes.

11

Apply a thin coat of RTV sealant to the mounting surface of the water pump that now has the gasket sealed to it. Hold the water pump to the engine and tighten the bolts one by one with your fingers to hold them in place while you insert the others. Install the remaining bolts, then tighten all bolts with the wrench. Do not over-tighten them or you may warp or crack the pump.

12

Replace the drive belt evenly on the water pump pulley, weaving over the other pulleys according to the belt-routing picture on the engine, and tighten the tension pulley using the wrench.

13

Replace the radiator plug and engine block drain plugs. Pour the saved coolant from the drain container into the radiator and coolant reservoir. You may replace the saved coolant with new coolant if the green color of the coolant appears uncontaminated. Replace the negative (black) cable back onto the battery post and tighten with the wrench. Start the engine and allow it to run for several minutes. Inspect the ground beneath the vehicle, checking for any leaks.