Weepy Water Pump?
Here’s The Replacement Procedure For 1999–2004 3.5L V-6 LH Platform Vehicles
The water pump is a belt driven pump that supplies pressurized coolant to the engine cooling system. The photographs and diagrams used in this article are for the 1999–2004 Chrysler 300M, Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid (LH platform) with the all-aluminum 3.5L V-6 engine. The 3.5L water pump has a die-cast aluminum housing and a plastic swept vane impeller. It bolts directly to the right rear timing belt cover using an O-ring for sealing. The water pump is driven by the engine timing belt.
Warning: Do not remove hose clamps or hoses, cylinder block drain plugs, coolant bottle cap, or open the radiator draincock, when the system is hot and under pressure because serious burns from coolant can occur.
Note: When servicing the cooling system, it is essential that coolant does not drip on the drive belts or pulleys. If necessary, shield the belts with shop towels before working on the cooling system. If coolant contacts the belts or pulleys, flush both with clean water.
WATER PUMP REMOVAL
In order to access the water pump on the 3.5L in LH vehicles, the upper radiator crossmember, A, and upper radiator hose, B, must be removed. After this is done, the timing belt covers, C, can be removed (Figure 1). Next remove the cooling fan module accessory drive belts and drive belt pulley. Then, remove the three timing belt covers (right side-stamped, painted black; left side-cast, gray color; lower stamped.) Note: the three bolts that secure the lower timing cover in place can be accessed through openings between the spokes in the crankshaft damper.
Note:Before water pump removal, the engine must first be set up on TDC and all three sprockets—camshafts and crankshaft—must be marked with reference points. Aligning the timing marks is critical and failure to do so can result in valve and/or piston damage. Refer to Mopar Magazine’s July/August 2010 issue, pp. 36–37, for the timing belt replacement procedure for this engine.
Remove the timing-belt tensioner. Place the tensioner in a vise to compress the plunger. Align the hole in the housing with the hole in the plunger and insert the pin, D, to hold the plunger, E, in place as shown in Figure 2.
Remove the engine timing belt from the water pump pulley, F, as illustrated in Figure 3. Next remove the water pump mounting bolts, G, from the water pump body, H (Figure 4). Note the position of the longer bolt for proper re-installation. Then remove the water pump body from the engine.
INSPECTION
Inspect and replace the water pump if it has any of the following defects:
1. Damage or cracks on the pump body.
2. Coolant leaks; if the seal is leaking, this will be evident by traces of thick deposits of dried glycol running down the pump body and components below. A thin black stain below pump weep hole/passage is considered normal operation.
3. Impeller rubs inside of the rear timing belt cover.
4. Excessively loose or rough turning bearing.
INSTALLATION
Clean the O-ring surfaces on the water pump, J, (Figure 5) and cover. Apply Mopar® Dielectric Grease, or an equivalent silicone grease, to the O-ring, K, to aid in the pump assembly. Then install the new O-ring on water pump. Next, position the water pump to the engine and install the mounting bolts—torque to 105 lb.-in. (12 N•m).
After verifying correct timing mark locations, install the timing belt, timing belt tensioner and timing belt covers. Next, install the accessory drive belts, pulley, upper radiator hose and upper radiator crossmember.
To finish the job, top off the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and Mopar Antifreeze (orange) Coolant, 5-Year/100,000-Mile Formula (MS-9769), P/N 05066386AA, Figure 6. Note: Do not mix or substitute this (orange) coolant with any other type. Doing so will reduce the corrosion protection and may result in premature water pump seal failure.
BLEED THE SYSTEM
LH vehicle cooling systems require air bleeding, after a coolant drain, to prevent the engine from overheating and to maximize cooling performance. Refer to the appropriate Chrysler Group LLC Service Manual for the correct air-bleeding procedure.
