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How to Replace the Water Pump in a 1997 Caravan 3 3L

The Caravan is a family minivan manufactured by Chrysler under its Dodge brand since 1984. The 1997 Model is a third-generation Caravan that had a choice of several different engines, including a 6-cylinder 3.3-liter engine. This engine uses a belt-driven water pump to circulate coolant around the engine. If you need to replace the water pump in a 97 Caravan, you must access it from underneath the vehicle.

Instructions

1

Remove the cable from the negative terminal of the battery with a socket wrench. This will prevent you from starting the engine during the water pump replacement procedure. Place a drain pan under the drain plug for the radiator and open the drain plug. Allow the coolant to drain into the drain pan.

2

Remove the serpentine drive belt with a socket wrench. Raise the vehicle with a jack and support it on jack stands. Disconnect the right front wheel and the lower shield on the right front fender.

3

Disconnect the pulley for the water pump with a socket wrench. Remove the mounting bolts for the water pump and detach the water pump from the engine. Discard the O-ring for the water pump and clean the mounting surface for the O-ring with a shop towel.

4

Place the new O-ring onto its mounting surface on the new water pump. Install the new water pump onto the engine and tighten its mounting bolts to 108 in. lbs. with a torque wrench. Install the pulley for the water pump and tighten its mounting bolts to 20 ft. lbs.

5

Connect the lower shield for the right front fender with a socket wrench and install the right front wheel. Connect the lug nuts for the right front wheel and torque them to 95 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench. Lower the vehicle and connect the serpentine drive belt. Fill the radiator with a mixture of 50 percent water and 50 percent ethylene glycol antifreeze.

6

Connect the cable to the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Start the engine and allow it to run until the thermostat opens. Turn the engine off and allow it to cool. Check and correct any leaks in the coolant system.