2005 Chrysler Town and Country Water Pump Replacement help.

[jamsheehan]

The water pump does not have enough clearance to remove it. I followed the repair manuals instructions to the letter. The pump fins will not clear the housing. I twisted turned and tried everything. The pump came out after a couple of the plastic fins broke. The problem now is installing the new pump. There is just not enough clearance to get it back into the housing. Does anyone have expierence with this. Please help.

[Bear]

If no one jumps in, go to the AUTOZONE website, register and then go to the vehicle troubleshooting section (they do not have 2005 data but I beleive a 2002 is the same)and click on engine cooling and then water pump and there are the procedures for your car.

[jamsheehan]

Thanks for the response. I did look at the AUTOZONE repair guide. They say nothing about the clearance issues. I followed the repair guide to the letter. I saw a similar post on a 2003. The guy ended up loosing motor mount and jacking up the engine etc. Looked to be very painful. There has to be an easier way.

[Bear]

I found a video at helpfulvideo.com on replacing the pump on a 2002 Caravan, it does suggest loosening the engine mount bolts, you might want to take a look. I actually googled replacing water pump on a 2002 dodge caravan and the video was one thing that came up.

[94&92Astro]

Originally Posted by jamsheehan

Thanks for the response. I did look at the AUTOZONE repair guide. They say nothing about the clearance issues. I followed the repair guide to the letter. I saw a similar post on a 2003. The guy ended up loosing motor mount and jacking up the engine etc. Looked to be very painful. There has to be an easier way.

There is not! Jack up the vehicle - and place a jackstand under the frame near the right wheel - then use your floor jack to support the engine--loosen the front motor mounts and use the jack to drop the engine just enough to complete installation of the pump. Then ease it back up and re-secure your motor mounts.

[hundahunta]

sometimes you may able to pry the front motor mount backwards and the pump comes out. if not you have to loosen the front mount a little....

[kirlax09]

Thanks for this post. I could not get the water pump out either until supporting the engine, loosening the front mount and then lowering a little.

[kris g]

There was definitly not enough clearance on my 2005 T&C to remove or replace water pump. I broke fins removing and installing first part. Rather than loosening and adjusting motor mounts as suggested (big job) I used my 4 1/2" grinder w/diamond blade to take about 3/32" material off pully shaft. Part fit right in. Probably a good idea to repl thermostat while your at it. You will need special tool for belt tensioner. Oreilly auto lends free. This video is very helpful but does not address clearance issues (if you have them) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iuOD62LkFE .I have a few choice words for Chystler design engineers, but I wont get into that here.