Replacing fan belt?what tools are required? - 1998 Dodge Caravan

There is a spring loaded belt tensioner. Use the appropriate tool to release the tension on the belt Remove the belt , paying attention to the belt routing and replace the old belt with the new belt.

I think this is a fan which has a large nut with left hand threads and requires a (you guessed it) special tool. Most auto parts stores have a "loan a tool" program and should have this tool and be able to explain how to use it. Once you break it loose, get the tool out of the way and spin it off by hand, being very careful to not let it fall into the radiator as it comes off. Replace all belts and tensioners while your at it.

a few metric open end wrenches in most cases there is nothing bigger than a 21 mm so if you have 8 mm to 17 mm wrench set your set

When replacing fan belts, route the new belt through the pulleys so that it uses the exact same path as the old belt. You may need to loosen the belt tensioner a little bit more in order to slip the new belt onto the final pulley.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ECU Chip Tuning Tool

It depends on the vehicle. Most are not too difficult to change though. It requires loosening or moving a tensioner and then putting the new belt on. The hardest part is usually getting the belt going the right direction around the right pulleys. There is usually a diagram to help on the inside of the hood or near the belt.
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VAG diagnostic tools

It depends on the vehicle. Most are not too difficult to change though. It requires loosening or moving a tensioner and then putting the new belt on. The hardest part is usually getting the belt going the right direction around the right pulleys. There is usually a diagram to help on the inside of the hood or near the belt.
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VAG diagnostic tools

This one does require a tool to loosen the fan clutch from the water pump shaft. Part of the tool holds the pulley and the other part is spanner wrench used to loosen the clutch. An important note on these fan clutches: Once you have the fan clutch off DO NOT let it lay with the rear side of the fan pointing downward as the silicone fluid that provides the "clutch" action can drain into the bearing and cause the clutch not to work. Once you have the clutch off just lean the fan and clutch against something so it is standing upright just as it is when it's bolted to the water pump until you are ready to put it back on. Hope this helps you out a bit!

The text below is from the GM Service manual 4.3L V6 Engine
Water Pump Replacement (4.3L)
Removal Procedure
Drain the cooling system. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System .
Loosen the water pump pulley bolts.
Remove the cooling fan and clutch assembly.

Tools Required
J 46406 Fan Clutch Wrench

Removal Procedure
Remove the upper fan shroud.
Remove the fan clutch from the water pump in a counterclockwise direction using the J 46406 .
Remove the fan clutch assembly.
Remove the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement Remove the water pump pulley mounting bolts.
Remove the water pump pulley.
Remove the radiator outlet hose clamp from the water pump.
Remove radiator outlet hose from the water pump.
Remove the water pump mounting bolts.
Remove the water pump from the engine.
Remove the water pump gaskets.
Clean the water pump gasket mating surfaces.
Installation Procedure
Install the water pump gaskets.
Install the water pump to the engine.
Apply a sealer (GM P/N 12346004) to the bolt threads.
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
Install the water pump mounting bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the mounting bolts to 41 N·m (30 lb ft).
Install the radiator outlet hose to the water pump.
Install the water pump pulley.
Install the water pump pulley bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the water pump pulley bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).
Install the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 4.3L.
Install the fan clutch assembly.
Fill the radiator cooling system. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System .
Inspect the cooling system for leaks.

if you need that tool... stop in at autozone and borrow it... i suspect you would have to leave a deposit. but you get that back when you return the tool (if it's required). i think you only need that tool if the fan is one of those centrifucal type that stops spinning when you are are highways speeds.

robert

please take a moment to rate this solution.

p.s. if the pulley keeps turning when you try to take off the bolts...have someone push there thumb on the fan belt... that will provide tension and stop the pulley from turning.

WATER PUMP
The water pump is bolted directly to the engine timing chain case/cover.

A gasket is used as a seal between the water pump and timing chain case/cover.

If water pump is replaced because of bearing/shaft damage, or leaking shaft seal, the mechanical cooling fan assembly should also be inspected. Inspect for fatigue cracks, loose blades, or loose rivets that could have resulted from excessive vibration. Replace fan if any of these conditions are found. Also check condition of the thermal viscous fan drive. Refer to Viscous Fan Drive in this group.

The water pump can be removed without discharging the air conditioning system (if equipped)

REMOVAL
Disconnect negative battery cable from battery.
Drain cooling system. Refer to Draining Cooling System in this group.
Do not waste reusable coolant. If solution is clean, drain coolant into a clean container for reuse.

The thermal viscous fan drive is attached (threaded) to the water pump hub shaft. Remove fan/viscous fan drive assembly from water pump by turning mounting nut counterclockwise as viewed from front. Threads on viscous fan drive are RIGHT HAND. Using special tool spanner wrench 6958 with adapter pins 8346 and a suitable fan wrench loosen the fan drive Viscous Fan and Fan Drive Do not attempt to remove fan/viscous fan drive assembly from vehicle at this time.
WARNING: CONSTANT TENSION HOSE CLAMPS ARE USED ON MOST COOLING SYSTEM HOSES. WHEN REMOVING OR INSTALLING, USE ONLY TOOLS DESIGNED FOR SERVICING THIS TYPE OF CLAMP, SUCH AS SPECIAL CLAMP TOOL (NUMBER 6094) SNAP-ON CLAMP TOOL (NUMBER HPC-20) MAY BE USED FOR LARGER CLAMPS. ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN SERVICING CONSTANT TENSION CLAMPS.

CAUTION: A number or letter is stamped into the tongue of constant tension clamps. If replacement is necessary, use only an original equipment clamp with matching number or letter.

If water pump is being replaced, do not unbolt fan blade assembly from thermal viscous fan drive.
Remove two fan shroud-to-radiator nuts Fan Shroud Mounting Hardware Do not attempt to remove fan shroud at this time.
Remove fan shroud and fan blade/viscous fan drive assembly from vehicle as a complete unit.
After removing fan blade/viscous fan drive assembly, do not place thermal viscous fan drive in horizontal position. If stored horizontally, silicone fluid in viscous fan drive could drain into its bearing assembly and contaminate lubricant.
Remove accessory drive belt as follows: The drive belt is equipped with a spring loaded automatic belt tensioner. Relax tension from belt by rotating tensioner clockwise (as viewed from front) Automatic Belt Tensioner - When all belt tension has been relaxed, remove accessory drive belt.
Remove lower radiator hose clamp and remove lower hose at water pump.
Remove seven water pump mounting bolts and one stud bolt
CAUTION: Do not pry water pump at timing chain case/cover. The machined surfaces may be damaged resulting in leaks.

Remove water pump and gasket. Discard gasket.
INSTALLATION
Clean gasket mating surfaces.
Using a new gasket, position water pump and install mounting bolts as shown. Water Pump Installation - Tighten water pump mounting bolts to 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.) torque.
Spin water pump to be sure that pump impeller does not rub against timing chain case/cover.
Connect radiator lower hose to water pump.
Relax tension from belt tensioner Automatic Belt Tensioner - Install drive belt
CAUTION: When installing the serpentine accessory drive belt, belt must be routed correctly. If not, engine may overheat due to water pump rotating in wrong direction. Refer to Belt Routing for correct belt routing. Or, refer to the Belt Routing Label located in the engine compartment. The correct belt with correct length must be used.

Position fan shroud and fan blade/viscous fan drive assembly to vehicle as a complete unit.
Be sure the upper and lower portions of the fan shroud are firmly connected. All air must flow through the radiator.
Install two fan shroud-to-radiator nuts Fan Shroud Mounting Hardware
Be sure of at least 25 mm (1.0 inches) between tips of fan blades and fan shroud.
Install fan blade/viscous fan drive assembly to water pump shaft.
Fill cooling system. Refer to Refilling the Cooling System in this group.
Connect negative battery cable.
Start and warm the engine. Check for leaks