What is the easiest way to replace the water pump?

2.0L DOHC ENGINE - VIN Y -1998 Dodge Avenger
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WATER PUMP

Removal

Drain cooling system. Remove timing belt. See TIMING BELT. Remove water pump-to-engine mounting bolts. Remove water pump. Inspect water pump and replace if it has one or more of following
defects:
? Cracks or damage on body.
? Coolant leaks from water pump shaft seal weep hole (evident by coolant traces on pump body). ? Loose or rough bearing.
? Impeller rubs either pump body or engine block. ? Impeller loose or damaged.
? Sprocket or sprocket flange loose or damaged.
Installation

Install NEW "O" ring in water pump body "O" ring groove. Coat "O" ring with coolant or water. Assemble pump body to block and tighten mounting bolts to 106 INCH lbs. (12 N.M). To complete
installation, reverse removal procedure.

2.0L DOHC ENGINE - VIN Y -1998 Dodge Avenger
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TIMING BELT

NOTE:
It is normal and acceptable for a weld gap to exist in crankshaft damper,
where generator belt rides.
CAUTION: Neither camshaft nor crankshaft should be rotated after timing belt removal. Damage to valve components may occur. Align timing
marks before removing timing belt.
Removal (Mechanical Tensioner)

1. On Avenger and Sebring, remove coolant reservoir tank. On all models, remove number one spark plug. Using a dial indicator, set number one cylinder to TDC on compression stroke. Remove
access plug from top of outer timing belt cover. Check timing mark on camshaft sprocket. See Fig. 11. Timing mark should align with arrow on rear belt cover.
2. Raise and support vehicle. Remove left front wheel and splash shields on left side of vehicle. Remove drive belts. Remove crankshaft damper bolt. Using Puller (1026) and Insert (6827),
remove damper. Disconnect power steering pump from bracket with hoses attached and secure aside. Remove bracket from front cover.
Place a block of wood between floor jack and oil pan. Jack up engine so weight is no longer applied to engine mount. Remove engine mount located at front of timing belt cover. Remove
timing belt covers. Remove engine mount bracket from front of engine. Ensure timing marks are aligned. See Fig. 11. Rotate crankshaft sprocket 3 notches before TDC.
Install an 8-mm Allen wrench into timing belt tensioner pulley. Insert long end of a 1/8" or 3 mm Allen wrench into pin hole on front of tensioner pulley. Rotate tensioner pulley counterclockwise
with 8 mm Allen wrench. Push 1/8" or 3 mm Allen wrench until it slides into locking hole. Remove timing belt. See Fig. 11.
3.
4.
CAUTION: DO NOT separate tensioner pulley from mounting bracket. Timing
belt tensioner pulley is serviced as an assembly.
Installation

1.
Set crankshaft sprocket to TDC by aligning sprocket with arrow on oil pump housing, then back off to 3 notches before TDC. Set camshaft to TDC by aligning mark on sprocket with arrow on
rear of timing belt cover.
Move crankshaft to 1/2 notch before TDC for belt installation. See Fig. 11
Starting at crankshaft, go around water pump sprocket and then around camshaft sprockets.
Move crankshaft sprocket to TDC to take up belt slack. Remove 1/8" or 3 mm Allen wrench from tensioner pulley. Rotate crankshaft 2 revolutions and check alignment of timing marks. To
complete installation, reverse removal procedure.
On Neon, use DRB scan tool to activate ASD fuel system test and pressurize fuel system. On all models, perform camshaft and crankshaft timing sensors relearn procedure. Connect DRB scan
tool to data link connector. Data link connector in instrument panel, near steering column.
Turn ignition switch to ON position. Access
. Install timing belt.
2.
3.
4.
5.
MISCELLANEOUS screen. Select RE-LEARN

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2.0L DOHC ENGINE - VIN Y -1998 Dodge Avenger
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CAM/CRANK option and follow directions on DRB screen. Start engine and run until operating temperature is reached.
Fig. 11: Aligning Timing Marks & Adjusting Belt Tension (Mechanical Adjuster) Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.
Removal (Hydraulic Tensioner)

1. On Avenger and Sebring, remove coolant reservoir tank. Remove number one spark plug. Using a dial indicator, set number one cylinder to TDC on compression stroke. Remove access plug from
top of outer timing belt cover. Check timing mark on camshaft sprocket. See Fig. 12. Timing mark should align with arrow on rear belt cover.
2. Raise and support vehicle. Remove left front wheel and splash shields on left side of vehicle. Remove drive belts. Remove crankshaft damper bolt. Using Puller (1026) and Insert (6827),
remove damper. Disconnect power steering pump from bracket with hoses attached and secure aside. Remove bracket from front cover.
Place a block of wood between floor jack and oil pan. Jack up engine so weight is no longer applied to engine mount. Remove engine mount located at front of timing belt cover. Remove
timing belt covers. Remove engine mount bracket from front of engine. Ensure timing marks are aligned. See Fig. 12 and Fig. 13.
4. Rotate crankshaft sprocket 3 notches before TDC. Loosen timing belt hydraulic tensioner screws, and remove timing belt. DO NOT loosen, tighten or remove tensioner pulley bracket pivot bolt.
See Fig. 14.
3.
Installation

1.
Place hydraulic tensioner in a soft-jaw vise and slowly compress plunger. Ensure to index hydraulic tensioner in vise same way it is installed on engine. This is to ensure proper pin
orientation when hydraulic tensioner is installed on engine.
When plunger is compressed into hydraulic tensioner body, install a 5/64" (1.9 mm) Allen wrench or pin through body and plunger to retain plunger in place until tensioner is installed. Set
crankshaft sprocket to TDC by aligning sprocket with arrow on oil pump housing then back off to 3 notches before TDC.
Set camshaft to TDC by aligning mark on sprocket with arrow on rear of timing belt cover. Move crankshaft to 1/2 notch before TDC for belt installation. See Fig. 13. Install timing belt. Starting at
crankshaft, go around water pump sprocket and then around camshaft sprockets.
Move crankshaft sprocket to TDC to take up belt slack. Install hydraulic tensioner to block but do not tighten fasteners. Using a torque wrench on tensioner pulley, apply 21 ft. Lbs. (28 N.M) of
torque. See Fig. 14. With torque being applied to tensioner pulley move hydraulic tensioner up against tensioner pulley bracket and tighten fasteners. Pull tensioner plunger pin. Remove torque
wrench. Pretension is correct when pin can be removed and reinstalled.
Rotate crankshaft 2 revolutions and check alignment of timing marks. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.
On Neon, using DRB scan tool to activate ASD fuel system test and pressurize fuel system. On all models, perform camshaft and crankshaft timing sensors relearn procedure following way.
7. Connect DRB scan tool to data link connector. Data link connector in instrument panel, near steering column. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Access MISCELLANEOUS screen. Select
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

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2.0L DOHC ENGINE - VIN Y -1998 Dodge Avenger
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RE-LEARN CAM/CRANK option and follow directions on DRB screen. Start engine and run until operating temperature is reached.
Fig. 12: Aligning Camshaft Timing Marks Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.
Fig. 13: Checking Crankshaft TDC Position Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.
Fig. 14: Adjusting Tensioner Pulley & Setting Timing Belt Tension (Hydraulic Tensioner) Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.