Jeep 68165882AD Water Pump

To begin with, water pump failure can lead to engine damage due to overheating. Check the pump's operation by looking for leaks from the weep hole, which indicates a seal failure. Difficulty in locating the hole may occur due to pulley and belt design. A howling sound may indicate shaft bearing failure but don't confuse it with drive belt slippage. Even without leaks or noise, the pump can fail if the impeller fins corrode.

Disconnect the cable from the negative terminal of the battery. Drain the cooling system, saving the coolant if it is in good condition. Remove the air intake tube and air filter housing on 2011 and later models. Take off the engine cooling fan and shroud, except on 3.6L V6 models. Remove the drive belt for Hemi engines. On 2010 and earlier Hemi engines, remove the coolant fill bottle and disconnect the coolant overflow hose. Unbolt the air conditioning compressor and alternator on 2010 and earlier Hemi engines and reposition them. Remove the support bracket for these components from the engine. Remove the brake vacuum pump on 2011 and later 3.6L engines and remove the idler pulley and drive belt on all Hemi engines. Detach the radiator hose(s) and heater hose(s) from the water pump. Remove the bolts and detach the water pump from the engine. Clean the bolt threads and threaded holes in the engine. Compare the new pump to the old one and check the impeller blades for corrosion. Remove all traces of old gasket material or the O-ring seal from the engine and water pump. Clean the engine and water pump mating surfaces. Apply RTV sealant to the new water pump O-ring or gasket. Attach the pump and O-ring/gasket to the engine and tighten the bolts. Connect the hoses to the water pump and reinstall all removed parts. Refill the cooling system and check for leaks.