Jeep Repair: Water Pump Replacement Procedures 4.0L 2000 Jeep WJ, jeep grand cherokee laredo, jeep grand cherokee

Question
Hi Doug,

I need to replace the water pump on my 200 Jeep GRand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0L 2WD. I have replaced water pumps in the past on other cars. On this vehicle it looks like I have to remove the Fan shrouf, fan clutch and fan motro to get to the unit. What procedures or caution should I follow to do this?

I have repalced the thermostate and uppper hose already. I plan to replace the lower hose and serpentine belt as well.

Also, do I have to replace the heater hose fitting?

Thanks,

Bill

Answer
Hey Bill,

The fan shroud does not have to come out but it will make life easier to work in there and I do recomend it if you don't like bleeding and cursing alot.

You will need to break loose the fan from water pump using either a large wrench or a fan wrench specifically for this job.  It's best to break it loose with the belt still in place to help add resistance.  When looking at the water pump put the wrench on to the right side and smack it with a hammer to the left.  Be carefull not to hit any of the pulleys near the wrench.

After you break it loose then you will want to hold on to it while backing it off the rest of the way.  If you do not have an additional fan in the shroud then you may want to put some cardboard between the radiator and the fan to prevent damage to it in the event you drop it and it falls in to the radiator.

One it's off, remove the fan shroud and the fan blade at the same time.  Removal up the upper radiator hose and possibly the transmission cooler lines will help with clearance.  On some cases it is even necessary to remove the four bolts that hold the steering gear to the left frame rail.  These bolts are held in pretty good with locktite so don't expect them to just fall out.  Once the bolts are removed you just need to slight the gear box rearward a little bit for added clearance.

Clearance is really your worst enemy here.  They just didn't give us those two or three extra inches needed to prevent removal of extra junk.  Once the shroud is out it's really a piece of cake.  

You will need to transfer over the heater tube so be sure not to bend it.  Mark the tube to the old pump prior to turning it.  Mark the identical point on the new pump to help with orientation.  Clean off the sealer on the pipe threads once removed and install new thread sealer prior to installation.  This sealer can be either teflon tape or teflon paste.

Let me know if you have any more questions.
Doug