🔧 Grand Cherokee - Water Pump Replacement

Replacing the water pump on your Grand Cherokee involves draining the cooling system, removing the serpentine belt, removing the pump from the front of the 5.7L HEMI engine, and refilling/bleeding the cooling system. The water pump circulates coolant through the engine and radiator, so a failing pump can cause overheating, coolant leaks, or bearing noise.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work only on a completely cool engine. Hot coolant can cause serious burns.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before working near the electric cooling fan.
• ⚠️ Never open the coolant reservoir cap while the system is hot or pressurized.
• ⚠️ Use only coolant compatible with Mopar OAT coolant. Mixing the wrong coolant types can cause sludge and cooling system damage.
• ⚠️ Keep coolant away from pets and children. It is poisonous and often smells sweet.
• ⚠️ Support the hood securely and keep loose clothing away from belts and pulleys.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive extension set
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• Serpentine belt tool (specialty)
• Torque wrench 10-80 ft-lb range
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Hose clamp pliers
• Plastic trim clip remover
• Drain pan 3-gallon minimum
• Gasket scraper plastic or nylon
• Shop towels
• Cooling system spill-free funnel kit
• Coolant hydrometer or refractometer
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine water pump - Qty: 1
• Water pump gasket or O-ring set - Qty: 1
• Mopar-compatible OAT coolant concentrate or premix - Qty: 2-3 gallons
• Distilled water - Qty: 2 gallons if using concentrate
• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1
• Thermostat housing gasket or seal - Qty: 1 if disturbed
• Radiator drain plug seal - Qty: 1 if leaking or damaged

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground and let the engine cool fully.
• Set the parking brake and place the transmission in Park.
• Open the hood and remove the engine cover if equipped by lifting it straight up by hand.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket. A negative battery cable is the black cable marked “–”.
• Take a clear photo of the serpentine belt routing before removal. The serpentine belt is the long belt that drives the engine accessories.
• Place a 3-gallon minimum drain pan under the radiator drain area before opening the cooling system.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove Access Covers

• Use a plastic trim clip remover to remove any lower splash shield clips blocking access to the radiator drain.
• Use a 10mm socket if the splash shield has small bolts.
• Set the clips and bolts aside in a small container.
• Take photos before removing covers.

Step 2: Drain the Coolant

• Place the 3-gallon minimum drain pan under the radiator drain cock.
• Slowly loosen the coolant reservoir cap by hand to release any leftover pressure.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver or your fingers, depending on access, to open the radiator drain cock.
• Let the coolant drain until flow slows to a drip.
• If the drain cock is stuck, do not force it. Use hose clamp pliers to remove the lower radiator hose and drain from the hose instead.

Step 3: Remove the Engine Cover and Intake Tube if Needed

• Lift the engine cover straight upward by hand if still installed.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to loosen the air intake tube clamps if the tube blocks your reach.
• Move the intake tube aside carefully by hand.

Step 4: Remove the Serpentine Belt

• Locate the belt tensioner. The tensioner is a spring-loaded pulley that keeps the belt tight.
• Use a serpentine belt tool or 1/2-inch drive breaker bar in the tensioner square opening.
• Rotate the tensioner to release belt tension.
• Slide the belt off one smooth pulley first, then slowly release the tensioner.
• Remove the belt by hand and compare it with the new belt.
• Do not let the tensioner snap back.

Step 5: Remove Hoses from the Water Pump

• Use hose clamp pliers to compress the spring clamps on the water pump hoses.
• Slide the clamps back onto the hose.
• Twist the hoses gently by hand to break them loose.
• If needed, use a flat-blade screwdriver carefully at the hose edge. Do not gouge the aluminum sealing surface.
• Pull the hoses off and point them toward the drain pan.

Step 6: Remove Water Pump Bolts

• Use a 13mm socket, 3/8-inch drive ratchet, and 3/8-inch drive extension to remove the water pump mounting bolts.
• Use a 15mm socket if any accessory bracket bolt blocks pump removal.
• Note bolt locations as you remove them. Some bolts may be different lengths.
• Draw a simple cardboard map and push bolts through it to keep positions correct.

Step 7: Remove the Old Water Pump

• Pull the water pump straight forward by hand.
• If it sticks, tap lightly around the housing by hand or wiggle it gently.
• Do not pry hard between aluminum surfaces.
• Catch any remaining coolant with the 3-gallon minimum drain pan.

Step 8: Clean the Sealing Surface

• Use a plastic or nylon gasket scraper to clean old gasket material from the engine surface.
• Use shop towels to wipe the area dry.
• Do not use a metal scraper on the aluminum timing cover.
• Make sure no gasket debris falls into the coolant passages.
• Clean surface equals leak-free repair.

Step 9: Install the New Water Pump

• Install the new water pump gasket or O-ring set onto the new pump.
• Hold the new water pump against the engine by hand.
• Start all water pump bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern.
• Use a torque wrench 10-80 ft-lb range to tighten the water pump bolts to Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).
• If accessory bracket bolts were removed, use a 15mm socket and torque them to Torque to 54 Nm (40 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the Hoses

• Push each hose fully onto the new water pump by hand.
• Use hose clamp pliers to move each clamp back to its original position.
• Make sure each clamp sits behind the raised bead on the pump outlet.
• Wipe the area dry with shop towels so leaks are easy to spot later.

Step 11: Install the New Serpentine Belt

• Route the new serpentine belt around the pulleys using your photo as a guide.
• Leave one smooth pulley for last.
• Use the serpentine belt tool or 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to rotate the tensioner.
• Slip the belt over the final pulley by hand.
• Slowly release the tensioner.
• Check that the belt ribs sit fully in every grooved pulley.

Step 12: Refill the Cooling System

• Close the radiator drain cock by hand or with a flat-blade screwdriver. Do not overtighten it.
• Install the cooling system spill-free funnel kit onto the coolant reservoir.
• Add Mopar-compatible OAT coolant mixed 50/50 with distilled water, unless using premix.
• Fill slowly until the reservoir reaches the correct level mark.
• Use a coolant hydrometer or refractometer to verify freeze protection if mixing concentrate.

Step 13: Reconnect Battery and Bleed Air

• Reconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Start the engine and set the cabin heat to full hot using the climate controls.
• Let the engine idle with the spill-free funnel installed.
• Watch for air bubbles rising in the funnel. This means trapped air is leaving the system.
• As the thermostat opens, the coolant level may drop. Add more coolant as needed.
• When the upper radiator hose becomes hot and bubbles stop, install the coolant cap by hand.

Step 14: Check for Leaks and Reinstall Covers

• Use a flashlight if available to inspect around the water pump, hoses, and drain cock.
• Use shop towels to wipe any wet areas and recheck for fresh coolant.
• Shut the engine off and let it cool fully.
• Use a plastic trim clip remover and 10mm socket to reinstall the lower splash shield.
• Reinstall the engine cover by pressing it down by hand until seated.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ After the engine cools completely, recheck the coolant level and top off to the correct mark.
• ✅ Test drive your Grand Cherokee for 10-15 minutes while watching the temperature gauge.
• ✅ Turn the heater on and confirm steady hot air from the vents.
• ✅ Recheck for coolant leaks around the water pump and hose connections after the test drive.
• ✅ Check the coolant level again the next morning when the engine is cold.
• ✅ Dispose of old coolant at a recycling or hazardous-waste facility. Do not pour it on the ground or into drains.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $650-$1,050 parts + labor

DIY Cost: $180-$380 parts only

You Save: $470-$670 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.