OEM Dodge Ram 3500 Van Water Pump

Dodge Ram 3500 Van Water Pump Parts and Q&A

• Water Pump
  68382493AA
  Q: How to service and repair a water pump on Dodge Ram 3500 Van?

  A:

  Before you try to service or repair the water pump, remove the battery cable, let the fluid drain from the system and catch the reusable coolant in a clean container. Pull out the plastic air intake tube and then clear off the top part of the fan shroud. To replace constant tension hose clamps, use Special Clamp Tool number 6094 or Snap-On Clamp Tool number HPC-20 and always wear safety glasses. Examine the cooling fan unit for wear caused by cracks or broken rivets, loose fan blades and the fan assembly's thermal viscous drive. Loosen and remove the fan/fan drive assembly by turning its nut counterclockwise and using Snap-On SP346, Special Tool 6958 and Adapter Pins 8346 to prevent the pulley from spinning. Don't detach the fan blade assembly from the thermal viscous fan drive if you are changing the water pump. After you disconnect the fan blade/fan drive, put the thermal viscous fan drive standing vertically so that dirt cannot dirty the bearing lubricant. Don't remove the bolts holding the water pump pulley in place. Unlock the belt by turning the tensioner clockwise and then take off the belt after rotating the engine off. After that, get rid of the four pulley-to-hub bolts and remove the water pump pulley from the engine's hub. Remove the water pump attached lower radiator hose, loosen the nut holding the heater hose coolant return tube and get rid of the tube by removing the old O-ring. Take out the seven water pump mounting screws and open up the clamp on the hose at the water pump. After this, remove the hose and bypass pump together. Toss the old gasket and while doing this, remember not to remove the water pump from the timing chain case/cover so you do not damage its machined parts. Whenever needed, clean the gasket surfaces and check the water pump for any cracks, leaks from the shaft seal, signs of loose or rough bearings or contact between the impeller and the pump's inside walls. Before installing, re-clean the mating surfaces for the gasket, install a fresh gasket and insert the water pump fitting into the bypass hose as you secure it on the engine. Screw the water pump mount bolts in a cross shape until you reach 40 Nm torque (30 ft. lbs), secure the bypass hose clamp and position the pump impeller so it does not rub against the timing chain case/cover. Replace the O-ring on the heater hose coolant return tube, coat it with antifreeze, put the tube and its bolt on the engine and check that they are positioned perfectly. Screw the lower radiator hose into the water pump and fasten the heater hose with its clamp to the coolant return tube. Secure the pulley in place using bolts turned to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.), always making sure to hold the pulley still as you do it. Ease the tension held by the automatic belt tensioner and place the drive belt properly so it won't cause overheating. Install the fan blade/viscous fan drive assembly to the shaft of the water pump, then add the fan shroud, plastic air cleaner intake tube and clamp the upper radiator hose onto it. Put cooling fluid into the reservoir, reattach the battery cable to the negative terminal, turn on your engine and inspect for leaks.