2001 Water Pump Replacement

[orty]

Hey there,

This forum has been helpful over the years in finding a pile of great information, so hoping I can get some help from the smart folks here :-)

Recently found some fluid under my Caravan (2001 Grand Caravan Sport 3.3) and mechanic found the leak in the water pump. It hasn't failed yet, but will need to be replaced sometime soon, says mechanic. What I'd like to know: Is this something I could easily replace? I've seen videos for the '05 Caravan (http://www.metacafe.com/watch/874963/water_pump_replacement/) and some links (http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dodge-Repair-809/2008/1/2000-grand-caravan-3.htm) but didn't know if the process is similar or if this is something better left to the pros (I'm not an experienced mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but don't mind getting my hands dirty if I can figure it out -- I'm just trying to save costs). They also said they were going to replace the hoses at the same time, so I'll probably do the same.

Thanks!
-jake

[canadian_mudder]

Bring it to my work ill get her done in about half an hour. These water pumps are really easy to replace if you got a good idea what your doing and have a hoist, without one it may be tough. And its not impossible to do it without losen the engine mounts as the video suggests. The secret is a pry bar and a piece of wood. All you have to do is put the wood between about where the tensioner is then pry the engine back just the little bit to get the water pump and pulley out. If your more comfortable losing the engine mounts then you can do that just may take more time. Also that second link you provided is for a 2000 caravan which is the older style. Unfortuanetly the water pump on those is even easier since the body is not in the way.

[orty]

Sure, I'll just jaunt on up to Canada and have you do it. It's only a few days drive ;)

Thanks anyway -- let me know anytime you're in Central Oregon, as I may have other work for you :)

[mfahey]

REMOVAL
Drain the cooling system.
Remove the accessory drive belt shield.
Remove the accessory drive belt.
Remove water pump pulley bolts . NOTE: To remove the water pump pulley, it MUST first be positioned between water pump housing and drive hub. The pulley can then be removed with the water pump assembly.
Rotate pulley until openings in pulley align with water pump drive hub spokes . Move pulley inward between pump housing and hub.
Position pulley to allow access to water pump mounting bolts. Remove water pump mounting bolts.
Remove water pump with the pulley loosely positioned between hub and the pump body.
Remove and discard the seal.
Clean seal groove and sealing surfaces on pump and timing chain case cover. Take care not to scratch or gouge sealing surfaces.

This is from Alldata. There were several pictures in the procedure that didn't come through in the copy and paste that would be helpful. Some things aren't nearly as easy as the wording makes it sound because I could never get the tensioner loose when I wanted to replace the serpentine belt on our 2001 due to little clearance to the body.

[xcaravanx]

I have an `02 Caravan. I replaced mine in about an hour. I parked it on ramps. The most difficult part was pulling down the tension pulley. I don`t know if there`s a special tool but I made my own. If yours is the same as mine(I think it is), you`ll need to get underneath and pull down the tension pulley. There should be a square hole on the arm. I cut a socket ext. with a hacksaw and made the round sides square with a grinder. Stuck it in the hole and used a "female" socket wrench that also has a square hole. Pulled down the tension arm and slipped off the belt. Then removed the five bolts holding the pump housing and wiggled off. Oh, I forgot to mention you should losen the three bolts holding on the pump pulley before you remove the belt. The rest is easy.

[SpecB#127]

I think I will be doing the same thing to my 2004 here today. We just got back from a trip and there is coolant all over the front of the motor. I think it is either a puncture to the lower hose or a blown water pump. I lost about 1 1/2 gallons of coolant over a 450 mile return home trip.

At least there will not be that much coolant for me to drain :D

[Vistal]

If its a standard 3.3l V6 it should be on the bottom front side of the engine. VERY VERY simple .Loosen the belt Remove the 4 bolts on the pulley and remove the 4-6 bolts and pops right out No need to remove the tire just the plastic wheel well covers. took me 1/2 hr .

FYI you will need a belt tensioner Tool Its a flat bar with a short fat socket they are cheap or rent it form the took store.

[Caravan05850]

I recently replaced mine and just used a sorta long 15mm wrench to pull down on the tensioner enough to slip the belt on and off, doesn't take much movement on the tensioner to be able to slip the belt off.

In the past I have also used the wrench and a 3' piece of pipe over the wrench.

[wvcab]

If its a standard 3.3l V6 it should be on the bottom front side of the engine. VERY VERY simple .Loosen the belt Remove the 4 bolts on the pulley and remove the 4-6 bolts and pops right out No need to remove the tire just the plastic wheel well covers. took me 1/2 hr .

FYI you will need a belt tensioner Tool Its a flat bar with a short fat socket they are cheap or rent it form the took store.

2001 up are different, water pump is in the back of the motor:ugh