1996 dodge caravan 4 cylinder

SOURCE: replacing water pump on a dogge Caravan 1996

Alright, here's a pic of the mechanicals:



The bad news is on your vechile you have to remove the timing belt, but here's a step by step.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the drive belts.
3. Drain the cooling system.

1. Remove the timing case cover and timing belt. Refer to Timing Belt Covers and Timing Belt Removal procedures.
2. Remove the pump assembly mounting bolts.
3. Separate the pump assembly from water pipe and remove.
4. Clean gasket and O-ring mounting surfaces.
5. Install a new O-ring on water pipe and lubricate with water.
6. Install a new gasket on pump body.
7. Press the water pump assembly into water pipe.
8. Install pump mounting bolts and tighten to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.).
9. Install timing belt and cover. Refer to Timing Belt procedures.
10. Install drive belts.
11. Fill the cooling system

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the accessory drive belts.
3. Remove the timing belt covers.
4. Identify the timing belt running direction to avoid reversal during installation.
5. Loosen timing belt tensioner bolt and remove timing belt.
6. Remove the crankshaft sprocket flange.

1. Rotate the crankshaft sprocket until timing mark on crankshaft sprocket is lined up with the oil pump timing mark at 1 o'clock position.
2. Rotate the (inner) camshaft sprocket until mark on (inner) camshaft sprocket is lined up with the timing mark on alternator bracket.
3. Rotate the (outer) camshaft sprocket (radiator side) until mark on the sprocket is lined up with the timing mark on the timing belt inner cover. Refer to timing belt illustration.
4. Install the timing belt on the crankshaft sprocket while maintaining pressure on the tensioner side.
5. Position the timing belt over the camshaft sprocket (radiator side). Next, position the belt under the water pump pulley, then over the (inner) sprocket and finally over the tensioner.
6. Apply rotating force in the opposite direction to the camshaft sprocket (radiator side) to create tension on the timing belt tension side.
7. Rotate the crankshaft in a clockwise direction and recheck engine timing marks.
8. Install the crankshaft sprocket flange.
9. Loosen the tensioner bolt and allow tensioner spring to tension the belt.
10. Again rotate the crankshaft in a clockwise direction (2) full turns. Recheck the engine timing. Tighten the tensioner bolt to 23 ft. lbs. (31 Nm).
11. Install the timing covers.
12. Install the accessory drive belts.
13. Connect battery negative cable.

SOURCE: How to tension a serpentine belt

It sounds like you have an auto tensioner. There is a square hole in the bracket the tensioner is mounted on. Put a breaker-bar drive or ratchet-drive (3/8 or 1/2) in that hole -- this will allow you to move the tensioner so you can get the belt around the water pump.

SOURCE: how to install serpentine belt on 1996 dodge

Good morning! I am enclosing a serpentine belt routing diagram to aid in the installation of your serpentine belt. There are 4 different engine possibilities but i have enclosed all. The serpentine belt tensioner is released by rotating in a clockwise direction as shown in the diagrams. Engine configuration will determine what tools you need but the installation is relatively easy to do. Have a great day!

Mike Butler

• 6674 Answers
• Posted on Oct 05, 2009

SOURCE: labor time to replace a faulty water pump in 05 Gran Caravan 3.8

Try (repairpal.com) for estimate for your particular area. You may have to enter Grand Caravan to get the 3.8L engine .
I'm thinking 2 hrs.

Bobby Memory

• 258 Answers
• Posted on Oct 23, 2009

SOURCE: 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan water pump

no it only calls for like .8 of an hour to chang it. it is very easy to change