Dodge Caravan 3.0L replacing timing belt, water pump and front seals, part 5: Water pump

[@traciesurber652]

So helpful.I have a plymouth voyager and am putting a water pump on it!! luv the videos!! I just loosened the power steering bolts and the metal plate came out-also the same with the altenator bracket.I just loosened the bolts a got pump out...Thanks sooo much for the video!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+Tracie Surber You're welcome and good to see you tackle this challenging job!

[@moyah716]

First of all, Great videos on Dodge caravan. I will have numerous questions. Bottom (Cam shaft?) pulley, this controls the oil pump. Marks don't line up, can this be turned (any direction) back to line up marks? I'm guessing that it could be, since it only controls the oil pump. Thank you.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

The bottom pulley is the crankshaft pulley. L Get the two cam sprockets into timing position first and then turn the crank. It should only be turned clockwise.

[@moyah716]

@@TheOriginalMechanic so I'm figuring this, that I must find tdc. Then top sprockets can be placed where they need to be then the crankshaft pulley can also be placed where it belongs. These 3 all turning clockwise, never counter- clockwise. Thank you.

[@moyah716]

Maybe it would be better this way. Reset timing. Need steps to accomplish this.

[@stevenhass3338]

Thanks now I know what I have to look forward too. I tore mine down to the block removing the intake manifold it's back together but now I have to replace the pump.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Darrell Hass Sounds like you're well on your way. Thanks for the comment and good luck with it!

[@Chris-go9ti]

is the water pump that indestructible that you used it again vs spending 40 on a new one?

[@tombillings2872]

The Original Mechanic I want to say great job on these videos. You gave me the confidence to replace a leaky seal on the crank and the other 2 seals on the cams. I was wondering, I forgot to grease the new seal on the crank. Is grease required? Or is it ok? Also, the rear cam slipped due to the spring loading so it is no longer aligned. If I try to align it again, it springs too far. Should I just hold it in alignment with a wrench and slip the new timing belt on? Thanks in advance!

[@jason1carnley]

The water pump has a back part and a gasket in between the front and back part. I did the whole job and didn't get a good seal somewhere because it was leaking really bad. I tore it back down and need to determine where it is leaking at the waterpump. Either the oring the seal against the block or the seal between the waterpump front and back.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I've never replaced the internal water pump gasket. A new pump will be sold in one piece with that gasket already installed. That's a tough break when you have a leak after all that work. I've been there. One trick I sometimes use is to take the best digital picture I can of the leak area and then look at it zoomed up on my computer. You can see things the unaided eye cannot. Good luck and keep just keep at it.

[@alfredsimmons2452]

The Original Mechanic

[@alfredsimmons2452]

Alfred Simmons Why remove top hose? I leave it on, then I can check for leaks before fully assembling.

[@elbaron51]

thank you for your respond. but i notice that is was low in oil. i added more oil and is not making the noise any more. keep making great videos. you the best

[@robwarbington7031]

thats what I figured but the person I was going to help out said her son was told it had to be put on a lift she has. 2000 dodge caravan 3.0 litter its the first one I seen run off the timmimng belts

[@robwarbington7031]

is it hard to replace the crankshaft seal on a 2000 dodge caravan 3.0 litter engine

[@rjdimonda]

is it necessary to remove the timing belt when you change the water pump on the 3.0L engine. It seems that you have disassembled an awful lot of things just to change the water pump. can it be that complicated

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Yeah, I'm afraid you do have to remove the timing belt. I agree, this is a miserable job to replace the water pump. If there was a better way I would have found it by now...I've torn this down three times on different Caravans I've owned. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@stevenbuell5387]

@@TheOriginalMechanic do you have to remove the engine mount and raise the motor for thisb

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

@@stevenbuell5387 Yes , the mount must come out but you only have to put a jack under the motor, not raise it.

[@thomashayes3322]

Did you ever have a problem after changing the water pump it not sealing right and leaking? I have taken mine apart 4 times and can’t get to deal right. About to just rtv it closed 😂

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

No I did not thankfully have a problem with that. You would wonder if something is dinged up on the mating surface with the engine.

[@aaronemery9173]

I accidentally moved the camshaft closest to the firewall when trying to remove the bolt and now can’t get it back in the correct position. What do I do

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

About all you can do is take the belt back off, get everything lined up again and reinstall the belt. You might want to find a way to temporarily lock the camshafts in place until the belt is fully seated. A vice grip pliers works for this on some engines. Good luck and realize, this happens to me and others too.

[@jagaberdeen]

what would you say it would cost to do this in a shop as well as the timing belt on a 2000 3.0 dodge Minnie van??? I was quoted 650??

[@dennisreynolds6915]

Jag Aberdeen mine was 630

[@koollee]

Hey Mechanic you are a tough guy.. I been wrenchin and took courses in between since '87 Im on the forth of these Caravan / Voyagers ( i like em alot ) unfortunately this one i have now was misused by previous owner and after me driving it easy for 3 years, it leaks water (water pump or that evil tube, seal), oil and trans fluid. Never in life have i saw a water pump, etc. job be this difficult. Kinda overwhelmed but ive accepted it. Thinkin im just going to swap the engine but even then.. since i know i wont get a crate engine.. the new used engine must have this work done before installation... as well as reseal the trans.. I guess this is more comment than question, but do u also love these vans like that?I like em alot but this 4th one i have now (clean white, short version '95 with 3.0)... stuff just malfunctions.. not frequently but often enough.. Im surprized it still runs smooth.. leaking almost everything. I may have to part with it but really dont want to....

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Yeah, I confess, I like these minivans too. I'm on my fifth one and it just goes and goes without a ton of problems. They were all fitted with the 3.0. I don't like working on the front of the engine, though. Good luck on your latest. As long as you don't need it for awhile, you'll be fine.

[@koollee]

by the way.. what year do u have, and like(? again, mine is a '95.... first one i had was '90 grand voyager but the 4 after that were all '92-'95 short voyagers (1 of em short caravan tho) .... if this one survives til repaired like i hope.. good.. i like em. if i make it to an engine swap ( get replacement car meanwhile I want to turbo it

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I have a 2000 Grand Caravan. I like that generation the best. They are harder to work on though, with that itsy bitsy hood with the engine shoe horned in there.

[@koollee]

Ohh, right. Ive done a radiator on one before.. Lotta work haha

[@robwarbington7031]

do ya have to put the car on lift to change the water pump on 2000 dodge caravan

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+Rob Warbington I just had it on jack stands. You do have to support the engine from below when the left engine mount is removed.

[@elbaron51]

hi i jus finish the job, i did everything you did to yours but when i start the car is making a valve noise why is that

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Aligning the timing marks is absolutely critical. I hope you got that exactly right. I can't think of any other cause unless a hydraulic lifter is sticking now.

[@danielcespedes92]

The Original Mechanic

[@birdmcknight3444]

8:43 you mean far or i hear a fart hahaha.

[@fbanda20]

😂 I went straight to the comments to see if anyone else noticed!

[@bryantmatthews93]

i had one with the mitsubishi 3 liter sold it and got one with the 3.3 and has better mpg easier to work on

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Hey, that's a good idea!

[@panerairecords531]

very nice i m' help much thank you

[@culllaticiqsu83]

I think you can see some good advices on Avasva solutions.