How do you replace the water pump on a 2002 Grand Cherokee?

Answer 1

First off - it is easy - This is for a 4.7 Liter Jeep - Will take a novice 2.5 hours

1st - Disconnect positive battery cable

You will need a hand rachet and a 15mm deep well and short well socket - you will also need a 13mm socket & a prybar

Most of the work is done from the top of the engine

2nd - Remove the serp belt - to do this, use 15 mm socket and pull upward on nut on the belt tensioner (spring loaded pulley on pass side - lower part of front of engine. The tensioner pulley is about the size of the end of a coke can - as you pull the nut in the center of the pulley upwards the spring loaded tension lessens enough to slide the belt off - remove complete Note: Make a mental note how it is routed for reinstallation.

3rd - Remove the other idler pulley (about the same size and sits a couple of inches to the right of the tensioner - Use your 15 mm socket and take center bolt all the way out and remove pulley (this is so you can access one water pump bolts behind it)

4th - Remove all 8 of the water pump bolts (do this with hand tools) - because of space - you will know when to use the deep well socket and the short. Put a drain pan under to catch coolant. Note: WRITE DOWN what bolts go where - all are 15mm but there are 3 different types

5th - Dont remove water pump yet - Now you need to remove the 3 bolts holding the alternator on so you will have room to fish it out. Remove the two large 15 mm bolts and then remove the 13mm bolt on top right of alternator - then unclip the positive cable on top of the alternator and remove nut - Now use a prybar (it is tight!) and move alternator out of the way - you will notice the negative connected on the rear - leave it attached and gently lay the alternator on top of the engine

6th remove water pump upwards and out of the engine compartment using the hole made by removing the alternator.

7th - Remove ALL grime and debris - take a razor blade and scrape mating surface where the rubber seal goes - this needs to be pristine and polished clean - Use fine grit sandpaper 400 grit or so. - Wipe all off and make sure it is dry. There is NO gasket maker to use - this is all about the rubber seal that fits in the channell and that rubber - when put in - presses to the metal of the engine block and forms a seal. Put your new seal in the water pump housing and fish it in -

8th - When bolting back up - tighten bolts across from one another - DO NOT tighten them all in a row. For proper torque - tighten till snug then go 1/4 turn - DO NOT over tighten - this is alluminum!

9th - Reinstall alternator and serp belt - reconnect all including battery.

10th - Fill radiator to top and put cap on and run engine to operating temp - Note: it will run a little hot and the coolant overflow jug will bubble - this is called burping - Once it comes up to and mayby a little past operating temp bleed the air out and drive about 3 miles. Your coolant low warning will probably come on so add coolant to overflow jug up to the "FULL" mark. This process may need to be done a couple of times as these are hard to "burp" - Once burped it will run fine and - ta-da! New water pump.

This would be a great time to clean your batteries (one cable is off) and a great time to replace the serp belt.

Cheers! T. Wilson Sikes Fleet