Jeeps

How to Replace a Water Pump on Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Meister
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Any car with a defective water pump is on the verge of failure. Replace your Jeep Wrangler’s water pump as quickly as possible if it’s leaking or broken. Your engine will not be properly cooled if your water pump isn’t working properly. Your engine will run hotter and harder than it should, causing critical engine parts to deteriorate and wear out more quickly.  

All of this adds up to a significant repair charge, so while you may attempt to delay it as long as possible, it will end up costing you considerably more in the end. Replacing your Wrangler’s water pump isn’t as difficult as it may appear, and doing it yourself will save you a lot of money over hiring a pro to do it.

Required Materials

  • Ratchet with a 3/8-inch drive and sockets and extensions for 10 and 13 millimeters
  • Pliers
  • Screwdrivers with Phillips head
  • cistern
  • (105 ft/lbs) torque wrench
  • (50/50 premix or normal plus distilled water as a replacement coolant
  • RTV sealant is a type of rubber sealant that is applied

Step 1: Remove the battery from your device

When working under the hood, especially when replacing belts, it’s a good idea to disconnect the batteries first.

Step 2: Remove the serpentine belt

Insert the ratchet bolt into the square hole in the tensioner pulley, using a long-handled ratchet or a ratchet and breaker bar. Once it’s in, pull it down and to the right until the belt sags. Slowly release the tensioner pulley back into normal position after slipping the belt over the alternator pulley. You can now remove the belt from the other pulleys because it is now slack enough.

Step 3: Remove the water pump pulley

Loosen the three nuts on the water pump pulley after the belt is off and out of the way. To keep the pulley from spinning as you tighten the three bolts, use a ratchet strap or a thin gauge screwdriver into the smaller holes on the pulley. They can then be simply removed once they’ve been unfastened.

Step 4: Remove the water pump

The water pump is attached to the engine block using seven 10mm bolts. Take cautious not to break the bolts or rip the threads because these are steel bolts and the block is aluminum. You might want to spray them with penetrating spray and hammer them. With a ratchet and a 10mm socket, carefully remove each bolt. The water pump should be able to be removed with ease. There will be some coolant spillage, so have a catch basin ready and wipe up any spills as soon as possible.

Step 5: Replace the gasket with the new one

RTV sealant is applied to the engine block’s mounting location. If you use RTV, you’ll have to wait for it to cure, which usually takes about an hour. Check to see if the gasket and bolt holes are exactly aligned. The gasket can be attached to either the pump or the engine block, whichever is more convenient.

Step 6: Install a new water pump as the sixth step.

Replacing the seven 10mm mounting bolts with the new water pump and gasket is the last step. Put a torque wrench on them and tighten them up. Torque them to 105 pound/inch apiece.

Step 7: Replace the serpentine belt and pulley for the water pump

Replace the water pump pulley and use a ratchet strap to secure it in place. Tighten the pulley bolts with the other hand while holding the strap in place. Start snaking your new serpentine belt according to the right diagram once the pulley is back in position, until you’re only dealing with the alternator pulley. To slip the belt back over the alternator pulley, you’ll need to reinstall your ratchet and breaker on the tensioner pulley.

Step 8: Make sure your coolant levels are up to par

Whether or not you chose to drain the engine coolant, you will have lost a significant amount when the water pump is removed. Before taking off, make sure you’ve filled your tank to the proper level and double-checked it. If you aren’t using a pre-mixed product, always use purified water while combining. Start her up by replacing your battery cable. Allow it to reach operating temperature before checking coolant levels again.

How much does it cost to replace a water pump on a Jeep Wrangler?

Replacement Cost Estimate for Jeep Wrangler Water Pump. Labor will cost between $142 and $179, while parts will cost between $162 and $220.

How do you change a water pump on a Jeep Wrangler?

1.       Remove the battery

2.      Remove the serpentine belt

3.      Remove the water pump pulley

4.      Remove the water pump

5.      Replace the new gasket

6.      Installing a new water pump

7.       Replace the serpentine belt and the water pump pulley.

8.      Fill up on coolant.

How long does a water pump last in a Jeep?

Water pumps are made to last at least 100,000 miles, if it fails, replaces it with high quality unique equipment level. Replacement pumps are less expensive, but their service life may be limited to 30,000 miles.

How do you change a water pump on a Jeep TJ?

The Belt Must Be Removed Loosen the 15mm Tensioner Pulley Nut (below the P/S Pump) before loosening the 15mm tensioning Bolt.  After the belt has been removed, spin the idler and tensioner pulleys by hand to feel for any roughness in their bearings. If it’s in doubt, replace it. 97’s should use green coolant, or something like Valvoline’s Max Life Extended Life Coolant.