how do I replace a water pump on a 1997 Chrysler 3.5 engine?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Len L
  • Start date Start date
The same job of a timing belt replacement,the water pump is driven by the timing belt,so cooling fan has to come out to make room,remove AC and alternator,P/S belts out with all brackets,remove crankshaft pulley bolt,need special tool to pull pulley out,then timing cover.Line up timing marks before remove timing belt tensioner,water pump is now ready to be replaced.
 
Buy the Haynes service manual from auto zone, and this will step you through every process with pictures included. This book is awesome! I have them for all my cars. It is book for your individual car that shows you step by step instructions on how to fix/change/replace any part on your car.

The actual process is nothing more than removing components that are in the way until you can reach the pump, then removing it and replacing it with the new one. Then reattaching all the components previously taken off in order to access the water pump. So, like I said, buy the service manual. You'll be glad you did! Good Luck!
 
You'll need to take the front cover off the engine to access the water pump. Somewhat step=by=step instructions (from memory) below:

The accessory belts that you can see are in the way. To remove those, you'll have to loosen them both. They both have a screw that adjusts the belt tension, so you have to back that off.

The cover is pretty obvious. It's in 3 pieces. Part of it is cast, and part is stamped. There may be accessory drive belt equipiment in the way (like those tensioners) and you'll have to take them off as you see fit.

In the shop manual, it says to remove the crank pulley and balancer to remove the front cover. This is actually not necessary. The cover is split around the crank, and you can remove it without having to pull the harmonic balancer off the crankshaft.

Once the cover is off, you'll see the waterpump, being driven by the timing belt. There is a timing belt tensioner that you just remove by taking the bolts loose outside the engine.

To install, you compress the timing belt tensioner and stick an allen wrench though a hole that keeps it compressed. Make sure your timing is correct and put it back together. Pull the allen wrench out, releasing the tensioner spring.

After that, just put on everything you removed.
 
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