The water pump on your Chrysler LHS is located at the front end of the engine. On the 3.3L engine model, it bolts directly to the timing chain cover. On the 3.5L model, the pump is located behind this same cover. After years of service, the pump and seal wear out, leak coolant or break, causing the engine to overheat. Fortunately, you need only a few common tools to replace the pump at home. This procedure applies to the 3.3L engine model.
Detach the ground (black) battery cable using a wrench.
Check that the radiator and engine are cool to the touch. Then place a catch pan under the radiator drain valve located on the lower right-hand side (driver side).
Unscrew the coolant reservoir bottle cap.
Open the radiator valve by hand and the thermostat bleed valve using a wrench. The bleed valve is on the thermostat housing located at the end of the upper radiator hose on the engine side.
Remove the serpentine belt by loosening the alternator-mounting bolt, adjusting the bolt lock nut and the adjusting bolt. Use a wrench or a ratchet and socket.
Unscrew the water pump pulley bolts using a wrench or a ratchet and socket, and remove the pulley from the vehicle.
Unscrew the water pump mounting bolts using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket. Then remove the water pump and O-ring seal from the engine.
Clean the engine-mounting surface thoroughly using a soft brush and clean shop rag, being careful not to scratch or damage the engine's aluminum surface. Damage to the mating surface may lead to coolant leaks, says Mike Stubblefield in Haynes Chrysler LHS Repair Manual.
Place a new O-ring seal on the mounting groove on the backside of the new water pump.
Position the new water pump in place on the engine and start the mounting bolts by hand. Then tighten the bolts using the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Position the water pump pulley in place, and start the mounting bolts by hand. Then tighten the bolts using the wrench or ratchet and socket.
Install the serpentine belt and tense the belt by tightening the alternator-adjusting bolt and adjusting the bolt lock nut and mounting bolt using the wrench or ratchet and socket.
Close the radiator drain valve.
Install a 1/4-inch-by-48-inch-long clear hose over the thermostat bleed valve, and position the other end of the hose into a clear container. This will help you bleed the cooling system and protect the serpentine belt from harmful coolant chemicals.
Refill the system with coolant through the reservoir bottle until you see a stream of coolant flowing through the clear hose attached to the thermostat bleed valve.
Squeeze the upper radiator hose gently until you see no more bubbles in the coolant stream going through the clear hose.
Tighten the thermostat bleed valve using the wrench.
Remove the clear hose and fill the coolant reservoir bottle up to the "Full" mark. Then replace the cap on the reservoir bottle.
Attach the ground (black) battery cable using the wrench.
Start the engine, let it idle for about 10 minutes, and check for leaks around the water pump and thermostat bleed valve.
