[k-nash]

My question is, has anybody with the six bolt water pump from the later 97 model year and on experienced the infamous leak?

While I was at the yard I picked up the six bolt cover, ready for the day this infamous leak starts again.

I also noticed those small O-rings behind the cover(timing to block)look like they could also be a weak spot.

I had my pump replaced a year ago and right after I got it back it still leaked coolant, I took it back and they said they thought the seals were going and that they put stop leak in it. To this day it has been good, but I know my day will come again.

All comments appriecated

[94_Concorde]

Honestly, I didn't know there was a six bolt water pump on the 3.5... I just pulled the W/P off of our 97 Intrepid and it was a three bolt. I do have some questions for you though...

- Did you take the aluminum housing off the back of the timing compartment?
- If so, was it hard to do (and what did you have to unbolt)?
- How many seals did you replace and where did you buy them from?

I'm asking this because I'm fixing up our 97 Intrepid (3.5) that was in a wreck and it cracked the timing housing on the passenger side. I've got parts coming and hopefully will get that done later this week.

[Ryan D.]

I thought the 6-bolt water pumps were on the earlier years?

[k-nash]

Yes I am talking about the aluminum housing of the timing compartment. When I was at the yard I grabbed this part from a 97 LHS that had a build date of 6/97.(there was a 97 LHS there with a build date of 10/96 and it had the three bolt water pump)

I have not replaced the seals yet...I have a spare 3.5L engine that a have been working on to familiairize myself with the engine, so that is why I toying with the six bolt water pump(waiting for mine to leak again of course)

To remove that timing cover, you need to move the A/C compressor and loosen the mounting bracket that hold the compressor.
The hard part is you need to pull the cam gear off, then you can access all the bolts, all of the housings at the yard came off after some banging them around.

Once you have the cover off you will notice two small O-rings that go into the block of the engine, and one large o-ring beind the water pump.

It does seem that the 2 gen 3.5L do not have this water pump issue, I know all 2 gens have the six bolt design.

[94_Concorde]

yeah, our trep has a build date of 11/96, that might by why. Thanks for the info, I'm waiting on those parts from gr8crash, as soon as I get those I'm gonna be doing just that.

[k-nash]

Here are some pics of the two different covers.

I am going to tackle this one when my water pump starts to leak again :fun_71:



This is the timing housing from a 1997 build date of 6/97. six bolt design



this is the timing housing from 1993-early1997 three bolt design, every one of this style in the yard had silicone caulk around the pump .



This is the rear of the housing where those O-rings seals can be seen.



All bolts fit directly, this housing is a direct replacement for early 3.5L's



interesting thing is the old three bolt water pump does fit and bolt into the newer six bolt cover.

[94_Concorde]

Thanks for the pics, that gives me a better idea of what I'll be running into in a few days.