Oil Pump

This procedure removes and replaces the oil pump on a 2008 Dodge Viper 8.4L V10, requiring engine removal from the vehicle for access to the oil pump mounted to the crankshaft.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Oil pump assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pump gasket/seal kit × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Front main seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Harmonic balancer bolt × 1 — One-time-use fastener
• Engine oil filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• 0W-40 full synthetic engine oil — 11 qt
• Mopar HOAT coolant 50/50 — 19 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable, then positive cable.
3. Remove engine cover panels and side sill covers to access engine bay.
4. Drain engine oil completely into appropriate container.
5. Drain cooling system from radiator petcock and engine block drain plugs into appropriate container.
6. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump relay and cranking engine until it will not start.
7. Label and photograph all electrical connections, vacuum lines, and hose routing for reassembly reference.
8. Support vehicle on jack stands at all four corners with adequate clearance for engine removal from below.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove intake and accessory components
   Remove the air intake system, throttle body, and intake manifold assembly. Disconnect all electrical connectors from the intake manifold, fuel injectors, ignition coils, and sensors. Remove the fuel rail assembly. Disconnect and remove all accessory drive belts. Remove the alternator, A/C compressor (set aside with lines attached), power steering pump (set aside with lines attached), and all associated brackets. Remove the radiator hoses, heater hoses, and coolant bypass hoses from the engine.
2. 2

   Disconnect exhaust system
   Working from underneath the vehicle, disconnect the exhaust system at the header collector flanges. Support the exhaust system to prevent damage. Remove the oxygen sensor connections and secure sensors away from work area. The Viper uses a side-exit exhaust that must be unbolted at the forward flanges.
3. 3

   Disconnect transmission from engine
   Support the transmission with a transmission jack. Remove the transmission bellhousing bolts connecting the 6-speed manual transmission to the engine block. There are multiple bolts around the bellhousing perimeter that must all be removed. Disconnect the clutch hydraulic line at the slave cylinder. Carefully separate the transmission from the engine by sliding it rearward, ensuring the input shaft clears the clutch assembly.
4. 4

   Prepare engine for removal
   Attach engine hoist chains or straps to the factory lifting eyes on the cylinder heads. These are located at the front and rear of each cylinder head. Use an engine leveler to balance the engine properly. Ensure all electrical connections, coolant hoses, fuel lines, vacuum lines, and ground straps are disconnected. Remove the engine mount bolts at both the left and right motor mounts where they attach to the engine block.
5. 5

   Remove engine from vehicle
   Carefully lift the engine upward and forward, clearing the transmission input shaft area and engine bay. The V10 engine is large and requires careful maneuvering to clear the shock towers and frame rails. Once clear of the vehicle, lower the engine onto an engine stand. Secure the engine to the stand using the bellhousing bolt holes. Position the engine so the front timing cover is easily accessible.
6. 6

   Remove harmonic balancer
   With the engine on the stand, remove the harmonic balancer center bolt. This bolt is torqued to a high specification and may require an impact wrench or breaker bar. Install a harmonic balancer puller and carefully remove the balancer from the crankshaft snout. Do not use a jaw-type puller that grips the outer ring, as this will damage the balancer. Use a puller that threads into the tapped holes in the balancer hub per factory specification. Inspect the front crankshaft seal and note its condition for replacement.
7. 7

   Remove timing cover
   Remove all bolts securing the front timing cover to the engine block. The timing cover has multiple bolts of varying lengths around its perimeter. Note the location of each bolt as they are different lengths in different positions. Carefully pry the timing cover away from the block using a plastic pry tool at designated pry points. Remove the timing cover and gasket, exposing the timing chain and gears.
8. 8

   Remove oil pan
   Remove all oil pan bolts securing the pan to the engine block. The 8.4L V10 uses a structural oil pan with multiple bolts around the perimeter. Carefully break the gasket seal using a plastic gasket scraper or pry tool. Lower the oil pan away from the engine block. Clean all old gasket material from both the engine block and oil pan mating surfaces using a gasket scraper, taking care not to gouge the aluminum surfaces.
9. 9

   Remove oil pump pickup tube
   Remove the bolts securing the oil pump pickup tube to the oil pump. The pickup tube typically has 2-3 fasteners and may be press-fit into the pump body. Gently pry or tap the pickup tube free from the pump if needed. Inspect the pickup screen for debris or damage.
10. 10

    Remove oil pump assembly
    The oil pump is mounted directly to the crankshaft and engine block. Remove all oil pump mounting bolts from the engine block. There are multiple bolts securing the pump housing to the front of the block. Carefully pull the oil pump assembly straight off the crankshaft, noting the drive gear engagement. The pump may require gentle persuasion with a plastic mallet. Inspect the crankshaft drive gear and pump drive gear for wear or damage.
11. 11

    Install new oil pump
    Clean all mating surfaces on the engine block where the oil pump mounts. Install the new oil pump gasket or apply RTV sealant per the gasket kit instructions. Align the new oil pump with the crankshaft drive gear, ensuring proper engagement of the internal gears. Slide the pump onto the crankshaft and align it with the mounting holes on the engine block. Install all oil pump mounting bolts and tighten in a crisscross pattern to the factory-specified torque (verify value against 2008 Viper service manual) to ensure even seating. Verify the pump rotates freely by turning the crankshaft.
12. 12

    Install oil pump pickup tube
    Install a new O-ring on the oil pump pickup tube if equipped. Insert the pickup tube into the oil pump body, ensuring full engagement. Install and tighten the pickup tube mounting bolts. Verify the pickup tube is properly positioned and will clear the oil pan when installed.
13. 13

    Install oil pan
    Apply new oil pan gasket or RTV sealant per gasket kit instructions. Carefully position the oil pan onto the engine block, aligning all bolt holes. Install all oil pan bolts finger-tight, then tighten in a spiral pattern from the center outward to ensure even gasket compression and prevent warping. Verify there are no gaps between the pan and block.
14. 14

    Install timing cover and front seal
    Install a new front crankshaft seal into the timing cover, ensuring it is fully seated and square. Apply new timing cover gasket or RTV sealant as specified. Position the timing cover onto the engine block, ensuring proper alignment with the crankshaft snout and all dowel pins. Install all timing cover bolts in their correct locations, tightening in a crisscross pattern.
15. 15

    Install harmonic balancer
    Clean the crankshaft snout and harmonic balancer hub thoroughly. Apply a light coat of clean engine oil to the front seal contact surface on the balancer. Slide the harmonic balancer onto the crankshaft, aligning the keyway. Install the new harmonic balancer bolt (one-time-use torque-to-yield fastener). Tighten to the factory-specified torque and any additional angle turn (torque value not verified in database — confirm against 2008 Viper service manual), preventing crankshaft rotation using an appropriate holding tool.
16. 16

    Install engine into vehicle
    Remove the engine from the stand and attach to the engine hoist. Carefully lower the engine into the engine bay, aligning it with the transmission input shaft and engine mounts. Guide the engine into position, ensuring no wiring or hoses are pinched. Align the engine with the motor mounts and install the motor mount bolts. Remove the engine hoist once the engine is secured.
17. 17

    Reconnect transmission
    Support the transmission with a transmission jack and align it with the engine. Carefully slide the transmission forward, guiding the input shaft into the clutch assembly. Install all bellhousing bolts and tighten securely. Reconnect the clutch hydraulic line at the slave cylinder.
18. 18

    Reconnect exhaust and accessories
    Reconnect the exhaust system at the header flanges using new gaskets if needed. Tighten exhaust flange bolts securely. Reinstall all accessory components in reverse order of removal: power steering pump, A/C compressor, alternator, and all brackets. Install and tension the accessory drive belts properly.
19. 19

    Reconnect cooling system and intake
    Reconnect all coolant hoses, heater hoses, and coolant bypass hoses. Install the intake manifold using new gaskets, reconnecting all electrical connectors, fuel injectors, ignition coils, and sensors. Install the fuel rail assembly and reconnect fuel lines. Install the throttle body and air intake system.
20. 20

    Fill fluids and final checks
    Install a new oil filter. Fill the engine with the factory-specified oil capacity (approximately 10 quarts with filter — verify against 2008 Viper service manual) of the OEM-recommended 5W-40 full synthetic engine oil. Refill the cooling system with Mopar HOAT 50/50 coolant to the factory-specified capacity (verify exact quantity against 2008 Viper service manual). Reconnect the battery cables (positive first, then negative). Double-check all electrical connections, hose clamps, and bolt tightness. Verify no tools or parts are left in the engine bay.

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to specification during reassembly (note: specific torque values not available in database for this procedure).
2. Use new gaskets and seals throughout; do not reuse old gaskets.
3. Replace the harmonic balancer bolt as it is a torque-to-yield fastener.
4. Prime the oil system before starting by cranking the engine with the fuel pump relay removed until oil pressure builds.
5. Bleed the cooling system after filling to remove air pockets.

Verification

• Start the engine and verify oil pressure builds immediately on the gauge (should show pressure within 5 seconds).
• Check for oil leaks at the oil pan, timing cover, and oil pump mounting surfaces while engine is running.
• Check for coolant leaks at all hose connections.
• Verify all accessory components (alternator, A/C, power steering) operate correctly.
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify cooling system operates normally without overheating.
• Check oil level after initial run and top off if needed.
• Road test the vehicle to verify normal operation and check again for leaks after test drive.

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