Water pump O ring

CHRIS5JAMES

MEMBER
1995 DODGE RAM
5.9L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
210,000 MILES

I have a leak in my water pump, not around the gasket itself but the hard line on the upper right hand side, I took it off and the o ring was melted down which caused the leak to happen so I put a thicker one on and it bubbled a leak so I pulled it off, and now I'm thinking the rubber o ring is in the waterpump and I was wondering if it I'd do I need to take the whole thing apart and take it out or could I attempted to put another o ring on and seal it?

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Yes you need to remove the pump to get the o ring out. Here is how the job is done. Check out the text (below). Let us know if you need anything else.

WATER PUMPS

Water Pump Removal

(1)Drain cooling system. If equipped with air-conditioning, remove radiator.
(2)Loosen alternator adjusting strap bolt and pivot bolt. Loosen power steering and air pumps, if so equipped. Remove all drive belts.
(3)On engines without air-conditioning remove alternator bracket attaching bolts from water pump. Swing alternator out of the way and tighten pivot bolt.
(4)On engines with air-conditioning, remove alternator, adjusting bracket, and power steering pump attaching bolts and set aside.
(5)Remove fan blade, spacer (or fluid unit), pulley and bolts as an assembly.

CAUTION:
To prevent silicone fluid from draining into fan drive bearing and ruining the lubricant, do not place drive unit with shaft pointing downward (if so equipped).

(6) Disconnect heater and by-pass hoses.
(7) Remove air-conditioning compressor pulley and field coil assembly.
(8) Remove water pump-to-compressor front mount bracket bolts and bracket.
(9)Remove pump retaining bolts and water pump assembly. Discard gasket and clean mating surfaces.

Water Pump Installation

(1)Install a new by-pass hose, if necessary, with clamp positioned in the center of the hose.
(2)Install water pump using a new gasket. Tighten engine pump retainer bolts to 30 ft. Lbs. (41 N.M). Rotate pump by hand to be sure it rotates freely.
(3)Install heater hose and position by-pass hose clamps.
(4)On engines without air-conditioning, install alternator front bracket and tighten to 30 ft. Lbs. (41 N.M).
(5)On engines with air-conditioning, install compressor front bracket. Tighten compressor bracket bolts to 50 ft. Lbs. (68 N.M) and water pump retainer bolts to 30 ft. Lbs. (41 N.M). Install alternator, adjusting bracket and power steering pump. Tighten all bolts to 30 ft. Lbs. (41 N.M). Install compressor clutch assembly.
(6)Install fan, spacer (or fluid unit), pulley and bolts as an assembly.
(7)Install belts and adjust tension as described in belt tightening procedures.
(8)Connect heater hose. Install radiator as outlined in this section.
(9)Fill cooling system. See "Refilling Cooling System".