Water pump? 97 Intrepid 3.5

[brucemc]

I've got a 97 intrepid with a 3.5 that I think the water pump needs replacing. I've got coolant dripping off the front of the frame member under the front of the engine. The leak started about 5 days ago, it was leaking quite a bit until I jacked it up to look at where from, and it hasn't leaked since, 2 days. I've been told and had kind of isolated it to the water pump. Sound correct? How tough is it to change on this engine / car?

The pump was changed out at the dealership 3 times in 8 days about 8 years ago because Dodge had a bad lot of water pumps. It has been fine since.

[indyram]

That would be about the same time I had mine done roughly. The 94-97 are notorious for 3 things trannies, fuel rails, and water pumps. The front of the car damn near has to come off. I would see what a shop wants to do to replace it. I think I paid about $300 or so total to have mine done. Plus if it goes to shit, which mine did 6 times in under a year you don't have to worry about replacing it over and over again. Labor is on them.

[sneakybert]

The water pump on these engines is driven by the timing belt. This is not a simple repair . I would spend the extra money for a NEW O.E.M. water pump. (Rebuilt are junk).Replace the timing belt at the same time if you plan to keep the car for a while.

[brucemc]

I think I'll talk with the dealer

[wizardb]

its not to hard if you have the book. the twin cams are easy to set just pull the covers off the front which are mostly 10 mm bolts and there is the water pump and timing belt. then manually turn engine to match timing marks on cams to housing. then on underside front passenger side there is the timing belt tensioner pull the two bolts holding it and the belt comes free. replace the water pump and new belt reinstall tensioner make sure when ya pull the pin(i used a small allen wrench as a pin and a c clamp to compress the tensioner) make sure timing marks didnt move and put covers back on.