OEM Dodge Ram 1500 Van Water Pump

Dodge Ram 1500 Van Water Pump Parts and Q&A

• Water Pump
  68382493AA
  Q: How to service and repair a water pump on Dodge Ram 1500 Van?

  A:

  Before you work on the water pump, first take out the negative battery cable, drain all the coolant and keep any reusable coolant in a clean container. Start with the lower fan shroud and then remove the plastic air intake tube and the second half of the fan shroud, called the fan shroud. Serve these types of clamps with a clamp tool made for them, like Special Clamp Tool 6094 or Snap-On Clamp Tool HPC-20, always protected by safety glasses. Withdraw the upper radiator hose from the radiator, then remove the thermal viscous fan drive from the water pump hub shaft by unfastening the nut with a Snap-On 36 MM Fan Wrench SP346 - use Special Tool 6958 and Adapter Pins 8346 to avoid the pulley from rotating. When replacing the water pump, do not take the thermal viscous fan out of its drive. After taking off the fan assembly, don't store the thermal viscous fan drive horizontally because it may start the fan bearing lubrication leaking. Don't take out the water pump pulley bolts yet. At first, rotate the tensioner clockwise to take tension off the belt and then remove the belt. After that, remove all four pulley-to-hub bolts from the water pump, as well as the hose near the bottom of the water pump. Loose the bolt that connects the heater hose coolant return tube, remove the tube and then toss away the old O-ring. Pull the hose off the water pump by releasing the clamp and taking out all seven of the pump mounting bolts. Throw out the old gasket and remember not to prod the water pump at the timing chain case/cover to avoid damaging important surfaces. From time to time, check the gasket sides for cleanliness and the water pump for any cracks, leakage at the shaft seal, loose bearings or an impeller rubbing. For mounting, prepare the mating area again, place a new gasket on the water pump, put the square fitting into the bypass hose and turn the mounting bolts to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.). Place the bypass hose clamp over the water pump, turn the pump to check if there is rubbing and cover a new O-ring on the return tube of the heater hose coolant in antifreeze before you install it. Afterward, attach the radiator lower hose to the heater hose and to the coolant return tube. Then, attach the water pump pulley in place and tighten the bolts to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.), while knocking the pulley so it can turn. Release the pressure from the automatic tensioner and put the drive belt in place, guided so it won't get too hot. Assemble the fan blade/viscous fan drive, put on the fan shroud, the plastic air cleaner inlet and ensure the upper radiator hose is properly clamped on. Place radiator fluid in the cooling system, link the negative battery cable back to the start of the engine and check for leaks.