So looks like my waterpump is shot. Looking at this I need to know if this is a just take your time and get it done type job or don't touch it. If someone can give me a general idea of what needs to come out to get to it would be immensly appreciated

 

Once you remove the belt and drain the coolant, the rest is simple. The pump utilizes 2 - 10 mm bolts. The housing to block surfaces are sealed with an o-ring that comes with the new pump. Make sure to install the new pump with the weephole facing toward the ground. Once the new pump is on and the 2-10mm bolts are snug, torque the bolts to 18ft.lbs.

 

Do I have to remove the shroud to get the belt off? I was eyeballing it today and was stumped. Where is the belt tensioner to get the belt loose?

 

You will not need to remove the shroud or anything else in order to remove the belt. Open your hood and look down, it should have the routing diagram on the shroud. The automatic tensioner (# 7 ) is located below and between the alternator pulley(#1) and the water pump pulley (#2). You can place a 1/2" drive socket wrench or breaker bar into the square hole on the belt tensioner in order to relieve the tension from the belt.

 

The following is from the 2003 DR Dodge Ram Service Manual:

REMOVAL
CAUTION: Do not attempt to check belt tension with
a belt tension gauge on vehicles equipped with an
automatic belt tensioner. Refer to Automatic Belt
Tensioner in this group.
NOTE: The belt routing schematics are published
from the latest information available at the time of
publication. If anything differs between these schematics
and the Belt Routing Label, use the schematics
on Belt Routing Label.This label is located in
the engine compartment.
Drive belts on diesel engines are equipped with a
spring loaded automatic belt tensioner. displays the
tensioner for vehicles without air conditioning.
This belt tensioner will be used on all belt configurations,
such as with or without air conditioning.
For more information, (Refer to 7 - COOLING/ACCESSORY
DRIVE/BELT TENSIONERS - DESCRIPTION).
(1) A 1/2 inch square hole is provided in the automatic
belt tensioner. Attach a 1/2 inch drive-long
handle ratchet to this hole.
(2) Rotate ratchet and tensioner assembly clockwise
(as viewed from front) until tension has been
relieved from belt.
(3) Remove belt from water pump pulley first.
(4) Remove belt from vehicle.

INSTALLATION
CAUTION: When installing the accessory drive belt,
the belt must be routed correctly. If not, engine may
overheat due to water pump rotating in wrong
direction. Refer to (Fig. 15) for correct engine belt
routing. The correct belt with correct length must
be used.
(1) Position drive belt over all pulleys except
water pump pulley.
(2) Attach a 1/2 inch ratchet to tensioner.
(3) Rotate ratchet and belt tensioner clockwise.
Place belt over water pump pulley. Let tensioner
rotate back into place. Remove ratchet. Be sure belt
is properly seated on all pulleys.

 

30 min. job at worst.

 

Keep in mind that you will also need the correct coolant as I believe you posted about this a month or so ago. The third generation Dodge Ram specs. a (Glysantin) G-05 HOAT coolant. At the present time, there are four G0-5 HOAT coolants available. All of which are suitable for use in the Dodge Ram CTD.The following list contains those coolants:

Mopar 5 Year/100,000 Mile with (HOAT) Embittered

Ford / Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant - Ford Part #VC-7A

Mercedes Benz Antifreeze Agent - Part # Q 103 0002

Valvoline Zerex G-05 Hoat -

Available in concentrate. The NAPA part # is ZXG051. NAPA carries all of the Valvoline product line. If they do not have it on the shelves or behind the counter, a store associate can order it for you.

 

Make sure you get a OEM water pump, napa water pumps are ****, had one blow up interally.

 

I also had a Napa pump go out (the bearing) and kicked off the belt and wrapped it around the fan and crank pullies. It sucked bad 5k on it.

 

I recently replaced my belt so I know a little about it and I'm always looking for the easiest way. I put a small rope thru the hole in the end of my 1/2" breaker bar and put the bar in the tensioner square hole with the bar hanging down. Then I pulled the rope and tied it off to a bumper bracket or something to keep the tension off the belt. No more fighting the tensioner and the belt at the same time! I thought it was easier to put the belt over the alt, last and then release the rope. I remember the tensioner being really close to the pump. It comes off easily with one bolt in the center if it is in the way. I took mine off just to inspect it good. What you really need is elbows and wrists that swivel 180 degrees! Craig

 

When did you buy the truck? You may still be within the 7 yr 100k...

Make sure to get all the air our of the system after you replace the pump.

 

Thanks for the advice all. Finished up the job yesterday. Took a little longer than expected. The serpentine belt was quite interesting