No Duralast thermostats from Autozone, Duralast is not a good choice for anything critical! Go for a good quality like Stant, this would be a good choice... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C7YRNM/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Thoughts on failing water pump?
- Thread starter Dunkut88TJ
- Start date
OP
There's a critical thing to do when replacing the waterpump and that's cleaning its gasket seating surface on the engine. Scrape all the old gasket off using a putty knife then use a small wire brush to finish the job so it's absolutely 100% clean/pristine. Any shards/pieces of the old gasket left behind WILL cause the new water pump to leak where it seats against the block.
Also note there are two different size bolts used to hold the water pump. Make sure to note which size goes where. Finally don't overtighten those bolts. Good and tight but no tighter than an old lady could manage lol.
Also note there are two different size bolts used to hold the water pump. Make sure to note which size goes where. Finally don't overtighten those bolts. Good and tight but no tighter than an old lady could manage lol.
OP
Good to know, I saw that in a video posted as well. I’ll dedicate an entire day to a 3 hour job I’m sure lol. I think I read to torque them to 20-25ft. I just called Firestone to get an idea on price for piece of mind they quoted me $400. Soooo I’ll order the parts today and go for it in a week or two when I have a free day!
Just did it this week on our ‘05. Replaced radiator, fan, fan clutch, water pump, and all four hoses.
just make sure you have a good strap wrench and a big enough adjustable wrench to break the fan clutch nut loose.
Don’t forget Teflon thread sealant for the water pump bolts, and as already mentioned clean every surface of the block and thermostat housing until it is perfect.
just make sure you have a good strap wrench and a big enough adjustable wrench to break the fan clutch nut loose.
Don’t forget Teflon thread sealant for the water pump bolts, and as already mentioned clean every surface of the block and thermostat housing until it is perfect.
OP
I was going to go grab a strap wrench but saw in a video where a guy used a pipe wrench. Where did you purchase the fan, fan clutch, and radiator? I just ordered the thermostat and water pump.
Get a big plumber's size (those in the tool department are usually too small) strap wrench, a pipe wrench is not large enough for this job.
Also look at replacing your rad. Too. The whole cooling system is supposed to be replaced like every 100,000 or 150,000 miles I think. I used a Gates water pump off Amazon, didint like the plastic impellers on all the MOPAR ones I could find, it has worked well so far. Only time will tell.
Deffinetly OE Mopar Rad. And Stant thermo. Well worth the $$ there.
also consider a flush, and when you add coolant back make sure it’s HOAT. I used MOPAR OE from amazon cause it was about the same price as anyone else’s HOAT.
check your fan clutch while your there. And lisle makes a good tool to get it off, there’s also a thread somewhere in here with a really cool trick, I’ll see if I can find it.
Deffinetly OE Mopar Rad. And Stant thermo. Well worth the $$ there.
also consider a flush, and when you add coolant back make sure it’s HOAT. I used MOPAR OE from amazon cause it was about the same price as anyone else’s HOAT.
check your fan clutch while your there. And lisle makes a good tool to get it off, there’s also a thread somewhere in here with a really cool trick, I’ll see if I can find it.
OP
I only replaced my fan because the harmonic balancer failed last year and pushed the pulley into the fan. It wasn't obviously bent/deformed, but I figured why spend several hundred $$ replacing everything else and take a chance?
Here's everything — first 2 orders were Rock Auto; last is Summit Racing.
OP
Thanks, I’m going to order a new radiator while I’m in there. Looking at mine I’m pretty certain it’s the original. My luck it’ll go 3 weeks after I do all this work.
**Note** that radiator I listed is only for the later automatic transmission models with the quick connect transmission line fittings. It will not work with the earlier hose ends unless you adapt the fittings for hose clamps. If you're running a manual or a pre '05 get the right radiator for your application.
OP
Yeah I see the difference between the 2. There is one on Amazon for $198 for a manual. Says it fits my 06
While that's a good brand of gasket, nothing special is needed where the thermostat housing is concerned. A plain cardboard gasket works well.
I did an emergency trail repair after my thermostat stuck closed with nothing more than a piece of carboard cut from an old military MRE (meals ready to eat) cardboard box used as a gasket for the thermostat housing and it was leak-free for the 8-10 months it took for me to finally replace it. Being as the MRE cardboard gasket was still leak-free I guess I let my OCD take advantage of me lol.
$206 on Rock Auto. I'm just paranoid enough to avoid buying 'OEM' auto parts off of Amazon, but life is all about risk vs benefit...
I thought the Fel-Pro gasket looked a little thick. I went with the thinner blue Mopar gasket that came with the water pump.
OP
I ordered some Fel-Pro’s for comparison on the water pump. I can ship it back if I don’t use it.