The engine and its counterparts are the most important parts of a car and any little issue can breed mechanical issues. Especially when it comes to your 6.7 Cummins water pump replacement.
It’s easy to manage a car that’s low on fuel or engine oil, but you can make a wrong decision to continue using it in its bad state which may ultimately damage your water pump.
When this happens, you would now be forced to spend more on repairing the car than you should have originally.
So in this post, we would be discussing everything you should know about the 6.7 Cummins water pump and possible solutions to fixing and replacing them when they are broken.
Dodge 6.7 Cummins Water Pump Replacement: How to Do
The replacement process for this is so straightforward, you can choose to get it done yourself or call a professional if you get stuck. Here are a few steps to follow if you’re doing it yourself.
Prepare for the task
When replacing your water pump, there’s so much to take into account. You must make sure that the engine isn’t too hot so that you are able to work on it.
To do this, it is advisable to put on the coolant for a while before turning the car off, then open the radiator cap just a little, to allow air in and drain the coolant till it is below the radiator level so as to avoid unnecessary spillage.
Make sure to have necessary tools close by such as your spanners, screwdrivers, car jack, and the likes. You may also need to lift the car just to make your work easier.
Raising the car for easier access should be done before opening the radiator cap or drain to let out coolant.
Draining through the radiator drain takes some time but it drains faster and can be located on the driver’s side of the engine.
After this, you need to deal with removing the radiator belt since it is in the way.
Removing the radiator belt
This must be removed from underneath by first taking off the belt tensioner and alternator while someone else, can help you remove the belt.
You need a ratchet to turn the tensioner screws because your hands may likely not get to it and your car is not exactly raised on a platform as it would be in a mechanic’s workshop.
The screw is likely to be stiff and requires force while turning.
You can take the time to check your belt once you’ve removed it, so you save yourself the stress of having to replace a belt anytime soon.
For some cases you may not need to remove the belt fully from the alternator and tensioner, whichever works for your car or truck is what you should stick with.
Remove the old pump
With the belt off and your pump in full view, you can easily pop it off the car. It may be loose or tight depending on what the fault is, but it won’t be hard to screw off.
There are two bolts or more that usually hold the pump fixed, and with your spanners, you could unscrew them to get the old pump out.
At this stage, you should already have your new water pump ready. Inspect the new pump and make sure that it is in perfect working condition.
If it has issues from manufacturing, you should return it at this stage rather than fit it in your car with blind faith.
You could take this time to check your car fan, pulleys, and the coolant that is probably still draining.
If you plan to change the coolant, you should have the replacement close to you at this stage.
Note that you’d be needing a 13mm and 10mm ratchet for loosening the bolts on the water pump as well as fixing the new pump.
Fix the new Cummins water pump
After you remove the old pump, be sure to inspect the liquid around the pump area, make sure that it is nice and clean, and wipe up the lid.
It is also preferable to oil up the lid of the new pump to prevent corrosion. You should check the cooling system and ensure it is okay as well before putting in the new pump.
The procedures for fitting are the same for taking it out. Just follow all procedures in the reverse pattern.
Make sure to close the radiator drain before refilling the radiator with a new coolant. And that’s how to go about your 6.7 Cummins water pump replacement.
6.7 Cummins water pump
The water pump is the organ that gets coolant from the radiator into the engine and cools the heat from the engine by returning it to the radiator to be let out.
It is the reason why your car engine doesn’t heat up to the point of a knock-out.
Although the design might change on the outside depending on the manufacturer or model, water pumps all basically have the same design on the inside.
It has been likened to the design of an octopus with a hollow center and arms extending outwards. There are different kinds of water pumps used in cars depending on the car type.
With the most common being the mechanical water pumps, most models are adapted to function as the other kinds.
Other types include the variable water, electric, and auxiliary water pump. When it comes to quality, Cummins ranks high and is highly sought after due to its metal casing and high mileage performance.
Also Read: Symptoms of water pump running backwards
6.7 Cummins Water Pump Replacement Cost
Getting a water pump replacement for your vehicle can prove to be quite the chore and there are lots of things to put into consideration.
You first need to consider what kind will be great for your car, and if it happens to be the 6.7 Cummins water pump, the price still varies.
Based on who you’re buying from, what model you’re getting, how new it is, and how much the installation costs.
Although the replacement process is not remotely hard, a simple mistake can affect your car badly.
Some people, due to the fear of going wrong or the inability to handle minute details, or for reasons best known to them, choose to recruit mechanics to handle the replacement.
You should note that buying from a mechanic or any place that is not the direct source, simply means it comes at a higher cost.
It isn’t uncommon to hear that a lot of folks got their 6.7 Cummins water pump for 100 – 120 dollars, while some had to pay as high as $400 for their water pump and its installment.
Although the service charge is estimated to be between 120 – 200 dollars, the pump price can always be tweaked to earn much more for a process that doesn’t require that much.
The specs on each Cummins water pump usually come as years. They are used to signify the kinds of cars in which the pump is compatible.
The most commonly used Cummins pump is the 2007 – 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 – 5500 (5.9 – 6.7L) with a turbo diesel engine water pump and it costs $207.46.
The Gates 42291 water pump that comes with plastic impellers and an O-ring costs $109.99.
Although the gates 42291 is not a fan favorite, it works well for 2007 – 2011 car models and is relatively cheap.
Another cheap alternative is the Gates 43526 water pump which comes with exposed fins, big O-rings, and no bolts. It has been reported to be really great and is a customer favorite.
It may come in plastic fins sometimes, but the metal ones are also available, so the customers have no problems buying this for $63.
The only complaint attached to this pump is that it doesn’t pump as much as its peers within the hour.
The prices keep varying between $35 – $250 depending on their properties, model, and car compatibility.
If you’re looking to get pumps at the lowest prices, it is advisable to buy from a Cummins dealership or amazon.
FAQs for 6.7 Cummins Water Pump Replacement
Can I use any model for my car?
While there are lots of models of 6.7 Cummins water pumps to choose from, you must use the generation and model that is right for your vehicle.
Using a model that doesn’t fit may have unsavory repercussions on your car. Imagine if have to deal with leaks just after an installation or the newly purchased water pump isn’t the right size in the first place.
One thing could lead to another and right before your eyes, overheating happens or your engine knocks up.
It makes no sense to nurse a $50 – $200 problem into a $500 – $2500 problem. Find the model that works best with your car and work with it.
In case you don’t know how to check, ask for professional help.
Do I need to completely unscrew my tensioner while replacing it?
By design, the radiator belt lies on the alternator and is connected on its other end to the tensioner. If you don’t get the belt off fully, chances are you may not be able to access the water pump fully.
Even if it feels like you can see it and reach the bolts, unscrewing them is a different case. You will need a good measure of space and freedom to move your hands around and loosen the screw.
The original space within the engine is not super large, so any additional hindrance only makes the job tougher.
Depending on the space present and how well you can maneuver your hands, you may need to unscrew your tensioner.
While fixing the new pump, I forgot to clean up the coolant and I didn’t oil the rim. What are the implications that this can cause?
Cleaning the water system, oiling the rim of your new pump and all inspections that you are advised to do are for caution’s sake.
The oil helps prevent corrosion from setting in too quickly in case the pump isn’t plated with any metal.
Cleaning the lid also serves the same function, but if your water pump is silver-plated as it is in most cases, you don’t need to panic.
The absence of oil doesn’t affect the performance of your water pump. The only implication is that it expires naturally and doesn’t have extra protection.
Even with this, you would’ve used it for a while before needing to replace it, depending on the quality of what you buy.
What model of 6.7 Cummins water pump can I get for my 2007 Truck (2500)?
2007 (2500) spec is one that is quite readily available. A lot of 5.9/6.7 Cummins water pumps fall into this category.
You can use the Gates 43526 water pump. It comes at a cheap price and is really great for the 2006 – 2011 edition of cars or trucks.
It pumps slowly so that means it can’t do too much if you’re at a standstill for too long.
It’s a perfect fit for trucks because they’re never in one place and sometimes have dedicated routes and can skip traffic.
However, there are other options that you might be interested in. you should check for more at a Cummins dealership.
Where can I get my 6.7 Cummins water pump replacement?
Your safest option is a Cummins dealership close to you, however, if you can’t access a Cummins dealer, you can buy online from trusted stores.
If you have a trusted mechanic, he is likely to know where originals are sold.
Can I buy a used Cummins water pump?
This is not advisable because the date of purchase is unknown and no guarantee can be given.
Unless you used the pump yourself or you can vouch for its integrity, it is risky to use a pump replacement that isn’t new.
Can I replace my Cummins water pump even if doesn’t leak?
You can replace your pump if it doesn’t pump fast enough for your vehicle or if you think you’ve used it long enough and want to be on the safer side. There’s no harm in acting before the injury.
Final Verdict
The 6.7 Cummins water pump replacement can be tricky for people who have never opened their car bonnets before, but if you can follow the instructions given herein, it will be a walk in the park for you.
If you take out time to find the water pump that fits best for your car engine, you should have no problems in the next year.
It all comes down to your research and technical know-how. Ask the right questions, reach out to the right people and your pump is as good as fixed.