OEM 2006 Jeep Commander Water Pump

2006 Jeep Commander Water Pump Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Remove and Install a Water Pump on a 3.7L Engine on 2006 Jeep Commander?

  A: Begin the water pump replacement process by disconnecting the negative battery cable, draining the radiator and carefully prying it loose taking care to wear protective safety gear while using special tools for adjusting the constant tension housing clamps. A number or letter is stamped into the tongue of constant tension clamps, so when you need a replacement, choose one with the same number or letter. After that, take out both fan shroud-to-radiator screws and separate the coolant overflow hose, then remove the accessory drive belt. After that, unclamp and take out the lower radiator hose and take out the hose plus the seven bolts and one bolt from the water pump mounting bracket, remembering not to pry the water pump at the timing chain case/cover. Once you take out the water pump and get rid of the gasket, clean the gasket mounting surface carefully, not hurting the sealing surface and look for any cracks, probable leaks from the shaft seal, loose or bumpy turning bearings or contact between the impeller and the pump body or timing chain case/cover on the water pump assembly. When setting up the installation, clean the areas that the gasket meets, position the new gasket and water pump, add and finger tighten the bolts and set the bolts to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.) torque. Make sure the impeller is not touching the timing chain case/cover by running the pump and attach the radiator lower hose to the pump afterwards. Once your bolt is loose, attach the drive belt, ensuring it does not cause the pump to spin incorrectly and avoid overheating the engine. Join the fan shroud firmly at both top and bottom, so that no air leaks occur in the radiator, then bolts the screws to hold the shroud. Make certain there is no more than 25 mm (1.0 inches) distance between the tips of the blades and the fan shroud. Then, put coolant in the system, reattach the negative battery cable, turn on the engine and let it warm and look for any fluid spills.