Find solution

Water pumps push coolant through a vehicles cooling system, using a fan belt or a timing belt. Water pumps can become faulty over time. There are usually signs that its going bad. If the problem is fixed in time, you can avoid costly repairs. You can check for a bad water pump in a few simple steps.

Instructions

Signs of a Bad Water Pump

1

Look for leaks from under the vehicle. When a water pump is going bad, one of the first signs is leaking coolant. Inspect the areas around the radiator and hoses for signs of leaking. If there is leaking, consult a mechanic immediately.

2

Determine if there is overheating. Overheating is a sign that the water pump is leaking and needs immediate attention. Check the temperature gauge on the dashboard to see if it has risen into the hot zone. Also check to see if steam is rising from the engine.

3

Look for pools of green fluid under your vehicle. This is another sign that the water pump is bad. After pulling out of a parking spot, check to see if a green fluid is on the ground underneath the vehicle.

4

Listen for unusual sounds coming from the vehicle while driving. If you hear a whining sound coming from the heating or cooling vents, that indicates that there is a problem with the water pump.

Chrysler sells a line of Ram pickup trucks under its Dodge brand. The 1998 models belonged to the second generation of Rams, which were in production from 1994 to 2001. The procedure for replacing the water pump in a 1998 Dodge truck depends primarily on its engine. The most common engine in this vehicle is an 8-cylinder 5.2-liter engine that runs on gasoline. The water pump is accessible from the engine compartment and is located in front of the engine block.

Instructions

1

Remove the cable on the batterys negative terminal with a socket wrench to prevent you from inadvertently starting the engine during the water pump replacement. Place a container under the drain hole for the radiator and remove the radiator drain plug. Wait for the coolant to drain into the container and replace the drain plug.

2

Disconnect the accessory drive belt with a socket wrench, and detach the lower radiator hose from the radiator. Remove the heater hose from the water pump if your vehicle is so equipped.

3

Detach the upper radiator hose from the radiator with a socket wrench. Disconnect the cooling fan assembly from the engine block, including the fan shroud. Remove the bolts for the water pump pulley and detach the pulley from the engine block.

4

Remove the mounting bolt for the heater hose pipe with a socket wrench. Release the clamp for the bypass hose on the water pump and detach the bypass hose. Disconnect the mounting bolts for the water pump, and remove the water pump.

5

Install the new water pump and tighten the mounting bolts to 30 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Connect the bypass hose to the water pump and attach the clamp for the hose. Apply sealant to the threads on the heater hose pipe. Connect the heater hose pipe, and tighten the mounting bolt to 12 foot-pounds. Spin the water pump to ensure the impeller for the water pump does not contact the timing chain case.

6

Connect the pulley for the water pump and tighten the mounting bolts to 20 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Install the cooling fan assembly and connect the hoses to the radiator. Attach the accessory drive belt. Fill the radiator with coolant and check for leaks in the cooling system.

The water pump seal prevents water and antifreeze from leaking out and overheating your vehicles engine. According to AA1Car, most water pumps are designed to go 100,000 miles or more, but its not unusual to see leaks occur after 50,000 or 60,000 miles. Replacing the entire water pump is often necessary in putting a stop to the seal leak.

Instructions

1

Pour a liquid radiator/water pump stop-leak product, such as Bars Liquid Radiator Stop Leak, into your vehicles radiator. The radiator is usually located in the front of the engine. The liquid stop-leak product poured into the radiator will flow to the water pump seal and possibly seal or slow the leak. Ensure that the radiator is not hot, and your vehicle is running before pouring the solution into your radiator. Stop-leak products are not a permanent solution and will only serve as a temporary fix.

2

Replace the entire water pump. You will need to know your vehicles exact make, model, year and engine type in order to purchase the correct water pump for your vehicle.

3

Find or purchase your specific vehicles repair manual. Because every vehicle is different, you will need your vehicles specific repair manual to successfully replace the water pump. The repair manual will describe in detail step by step instructions on how to replace your vehicles water pump. You can purchase or find a repair manual for your vehicle at automotive stores or at your local library.