Changing a Waterpump on 99 Durango

[renfrow40]

My waterpump went out and we are hoping to change it ourselves. Could anyone offer up instructions or assistance on this? We've purchased a new waterpump but it has more holes than the old, what are they for? How do you remove the large nut? on top? Will we have to change any other hoses that attach to it as well? Is this actually too big a job for an amateur?!! HELP!!!!

[lewie]

Originally Posted by renfrow40

My waterpump went out and we are hoping to change it ourselves. Could anyone offer up instructions or assistance on this? We've purchased a new waterpump but it has more holes than the old, what are they for? How do you remove the large nut? on top? Will we have to change any other hoses that attach to it as well? Is this actually too big a job for an amateur?!! HELP!!!!

The new pump should have the same number of mounting holes as original, 7. Are you talking about mounting holes. There is also one lower radiator hose fitting. one heater hose fitting and a hole for another heater hose pipe that has an o-ring seal. If you can't look at it and say that doesnt look too bad, then I would take it to a trustworthy independent repair shop. Good luck.

[Brandonman38]

its not that hard to change make sure you have the right replacment pump
when you unbolt the alternator and the ac compressor dont disconect them just move them out of the way then take of the bracket that holds them and your at the pump the hardet part of the job is trying to get the cluchfan and pully off

[thierry13aix]

Mine has a big black pulley attached to it with one big bolt. I had the worse time doing the job. I already had the coolant out and all or I would have taken it to a mechanic. There is a special tool that keeps it from turning while you loosen the bolt. I was unsuccessful keeping the pulley from turning by applying pressure on the belt. ended up removing the pump with the pulley on it. It took me half a day for a job that should have taken a half hour.

[Brandonman38]

i had the same prob whith the pully when i did mine
i got fed up with it and drilled a hole straight through the pump and the pully
and bolted them together and then i was able to get the cluchfan off in like two min
big pain in the ass

[acoelho00]

Taking the bolt off the pulley isnt too bad if you can shape a flat piece of metal shaped as a boomerang as i did and at one end install a small strong eneough screw that will fit into one of the holes on the pulley to hold it from turning. Try to make it so the boomerang shape comes up from the pulley wuith the screw inserted and curves to the left so you have room to work your wrench on the large NUT.Alot easier than removing whole radiator and shroud to work on pump. but you still gotta drain the coolant before removing pump.