Water Pump Failure on the 2000 Dodge 1500

Water pump failure is a fact of automotive life. On the Dodge Ram 1500, it means replace the water pump, a project for the moderately advanced avocational mechanic. The 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 base model is equipped with a 3.9-liter six-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. The water pump on the 3.9-liter mounts directly to the timing cover. Removal of the water pump will require removing the mechanical cooling fan and fan shroud.

Instructions

Lift the vehicle hood and support it with the hood prop rod. Allow the engine to cool completely and remove the radiator cap.

Place the drain pan under the passenger side lower corner of the radiator. Loosen the drain cock until coolant begins to flow from the radiator drain. Allow all coolant to drain. Tighten the drain cock.

Disconnect the windshield washer fluid tank from the fan shroud and set it aside in a position that will prevent the fluid from spilling.

Disconnect the coolant reservoir hose from the coolant reservoir tank by squeezing the pressure clamp with pliers and sliding the clamp down the coolant line.

Remove all four bolts securing the fan shroud to the radiator with the socket and ratchet, and allow it to hang from the mechanical fan. Slide the pressure clamp down the upper radiator hose and remove the upper radiator hose from the radiator, by bending it away from the radiator.

Install the spanner wrench onto the water pump pulley with the appropriate sized pins to fit the water pump pulley. Install the 36 mm fan wrench onto the fan clutch nut. Rotate the nut clockwise and loosen it completely. Remove the fan, fan clutch and fan shroud from the engine and set them aside.

Place the socket and ratchet onto the tensioner pulley bolt and rotate the pulley clockwise to release tension on the belt. Slide the belt from around the tensioner and slowly release the tensioner to its natural position. Remove the accessory drive belt from the engine.

Release the pressure clamps at the water pump for the lower radiator hose and the heater hose and slide them down the hoses. Remove the lower radiator hose and heater hose from the water pump.

Loosen the nut securing the heater hose return tube in place and remove the tube. Discard the O-ring from the heater hose return tube.

Remove the seven water pump mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet. Loosen the clamp for the coolant bypass hose. Remove the water pump from the engine, slipping the water pump out of the coolant bypass hose. Remove the water pump mating gasket and clean the mating surface on the timing cover with a wire brush.

Place the new water pump gasket onto the water pump. Slide the coolant bypass nipple into the coolant bypass hose while setting the water pump onto the timing cover. Install the water pump mounting bolts and tighten to 30 foot-pounds of torque with the torque wrench. Tighten the coolant bypass hose clamp. Spin the water pump pulley to make sure the impeller is clear of the timing cover.

Install a new O-ring onto the heater hose return pipe and install it to the engine. Tighten the return pipe mounting bolt with the socket and ratchet. Install both lines to the coolant return pipe and slide the pressure clamps over the pipe to secure the hoses to the bypass pipe.

Install the lower radiator hose onto the water pump and slide the pressure clamp into position to secure the hose to the water pump.

Inspect the accessory drive belt for any cracks or glazing and replace as necessary. Route the drive belt around the accessory pulleys holding tension on the belt at the tensioner. Rotate the tensioner clockwise and slide the belt around the tensioner. Slowly release the tensioner to apply tension to the belt.

Set the fan, fan clutch and fan shroud into the engine bay. Attach the fan shroud to the radiator and tighten the fan shroud mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet.

Set the fan and fan clutch onto the water pump shaft and hand-thread the fan hub nut onto the shaft. Install the spanner wrench onto the water pump pulley and use the fan clutch nut wrench to tighten the fan hub nut.

Install the windshield washer fluid tank onto the fan shroud. Install the upper radiator hose and secure it with the pressure clamp.

Fill the radiator with new coolant until full and leave the radiator cap off. Start the engine and turn the heater controls all the way up; allow the engine to warm up to operating temperature. As the engine warms up and coolant is circulated the level in the radiator will drop. Continue to add fresh coolant until the engine has achieved operating temperature. Top off the radiator at full and install the radiator cap. Top off the coolant reservoir to the warm full line.