Q: How to Replace a Water Pump on a Dodge Charger?
A: Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal. Drain the cooling system and save the coolant if it is in good condition. Remove the Engine Cooling Fan assembly. Remove the drivebelt. For 2.7L V6 engines, remove the timing chain and guides. For 3.5L V6 engines, remove the timing belt. For 5.7L VS engines, remove the Thermostat. Detach the radiator hose from the water pump and remove the idler pulley for the drivebelt. Remove the water pump from the engine, noting the locations of the bolts. Clean the bolt threads and threaded holes. Compare the new pump to the old one and check the impeller blades for corrosion. Remove old gasket material or O-ring seal. Clean the mating surfaces with lacquer thinner or acetone. Apply RTV sealant to the new water pump O-ring or gasket. Attach the pump to the engine and tighten the bolts in a criss-cross pattern. Connect the hoses and reinstall all removed parts. Refill the cooling system, run the engine, and check for leaks.
A: A failure in the water pump can cause serious engine damage due to overheating. If a failure occurs at the pump seal, it's common for coolant to leak from around that area. On V6 engines, the water pump is driven by a timing belt or chain and is located at the front of the engine, but covered. On 3.5L V6 engines, if you notice coolant under the front of the vehicle, look at the bottom of the lower timing belt cover (behind the crankshaft pulley). Coolant leaks in this area usually indicate a failing water pump seal. On 2.7L V6 engine models, a failed seal may direct fluid to the "valley" of the motor and eventually leak out the back side of the engine. In this case, suspect water pump failure before other major engine leaks first. On the 5.7L V8 engine, the water pump is externally mounted and weep holes may be visible. Using a flashlight, look for traces of coolant residue or dried coolant tracks around the weep hole(s). If the seal has leaked, it should be very apparent. If the water pump is making noise, the impeller shaft bearing most likely has worn out. On VB models, this can sometimes be confirmed by removing the drivebelt and wiggling the water pump drive pulley. Don't mistake drivebelt slippage, which causes a squealing sound, for water pump bearing failure. A quick water pump performance check is to put the heater on. If the pump is failing, it may not be able to efficiently circulate hot water all the way to the Heater Core as it should.