Important Oil-Cooler Fitting Note
Some applications use an oil-cooler line fitting attached to the original water pump. This AULINK pump may arrive without that fitting.
If the vehicle requires it:
- Inspect the original fitting for damage or corrosion
- Transfer it to the replacement pump
- Use a new seal or O-ring when specified
- Tighten it to the factory torque specification
- Confirm adequate clearance before installation
Do not discard the old pump until every fitting, plug, sensor, and hose connection has been compared. The recycling bin is a remarkably poor parts department.
Reference and Interchange Numbers
The AULINK pump is commonly associated with:
- Mopar 68346915AA
- Airtex AW6653
- Mopar 5038668AA
- Mopar 5038668AB
- Mopar 5038668AC
- Mopar 5038668AD
- Mopar 53022340AF
- Mopar 53022340AH
Current Mopar catalogs identify 68346915AA as replacing several earlier water-pump revisions. Review the official Mopar 68346915AA product listing when comparing the replacement with the original component.
An interchange number indicates a compatible design target; it does not mean the AULINK pump is manufactured by Mopar.
Product Features
- Compatible with selected 5.7L and 6.4L HEMI engines
- Direct-fit mounting design
- High-grade internal bearing
- Unitized shaft seal
- Polished corrosion-resistant housing
- Function-tested before sale
- Leakage-tested before sale
- Gaskets and seals included
- Manufactured in a TS16949-certified facility
- One-year or 50,000-kilometer warranty
Bearing and Shaft Support
A water-pump bearing supports the shaft, pulley, and internal impeller while the engine is operating. A worn or poorly aligned bearing can cause:
- Pulley wobble
- Grinding or rumbling
- Belt misalignment
- Seal damage
- Coolant leakage
- Impeller contact with the housing
AULINK states that this pump uses a high-grade bearing intended to provide stable operation and long-term durability.
Unitized Water-Pump Seal
The internal mechanical seal keeps coolant inside the pump while allowing the shaft to rotate. Seal durability depends on:
- Correct surface finish
- Proper shaft alignment
- Compatible coolant
- Adequate lubrication from the coolant
- Clean cooling-system passages
- Controlled bearing movement
A new seal may show minor initial residue during break-in, but continued dripping or visible coolant loss is not normal.
Polished, Corrosion-Resistant Housing
The pump housing receives a vibration-polishing treatment intended to provide a smooth finish and improved resistance to surface corrosion.
Appearance does not determine coolant-flow performance, but clean, accurately machined sealing surfaces are important for proper gasket contact and alignment.
Manufacturing Standards
AULINK states that the pump is manufactured in a facility certified to TS16949, the earlier automotive quality-management standard that preceded IATF 16949.
Certification applies to the manufacturer’s quality-management process. It should not be interpreted as proof that the product is an original Mopar component or automatically superior to the factory pump.
Information about the current automotive quality standard is available from the International Automotive Task Force.
How the HEMI Water Pump Works
The accessory belt drives the water-pump pulley and shaft. The shaft turns an internal impeller that circulates coolant through the:
- Engine block
- Aluminum cylinder heads
- Heater circuit
- Thermostat
- Radiator
- Engine-oil cooling circuit, where equipped
Coolant carries heat away from the engine and releases it through the radiator. Proper flow is especially important during extended idling, performance driving, towing, and hot-weather operation.
Signs of a Failing HEMI Water Pump
Possible symptoms include:
- Coolant leaking from the pump
- Dried coolant residue near the pulley or housing
- Grinding or rumbling noises
- Pulley wobble
- Serpentine-belt tracking problems
- Engine overheating
- Temperature fluctuations
- Weak cabin heat
- Coolant odor
- Repeated coolant loss
- Steam from the engine compartment
A leaking thermostat housing, radiator, hose, pressure cap, or oil-cooler fitting can produce similar symptoms. Follow our guide explaining how to find a coolant leak before replacing the pump.
Our comparison of a bad thermostat versus a bad water pump can also help distinguish poor circulation from a temperature-control fault.
Common Causes of Premature Failure
Water-pump life can be reduced by:
- Incorrect or contaminated coolant
- Mixing incompatible coolant formulas
- Excessive accessory-belt tension
- Worn tensioners or idler pulleys
- Trapped air
- Engine overheating
- Improper gasket installation
- Damaged hose fittings
- Misaligned pulleys
- Cooling-system debris
Diagnose why the original pump failed before installing the replacement. Otherwise, the new pump may inherit the old pump’s problems, which is generous but unhelpful.
Installation Recommendations
Never open the cooling system while the engine is hot. Pressurized coolant can cause severe burns.
General replacement steps include:
- Confirm the VIN, engine, and original pump number.
- Allow the engine to cool completely.
- Disconnect the battery when required.
- Drain the coolant into an approved container.
- Remove the intake ducting and obstructing covers.
- Record the serp Grieentine-belt routing.
- Release belt tension and remove the belt.
- Remove the cooling fan or related components as required.
- Disconnect the radiator and heater hoses.
- Remove the original water pump.
- Identify any fittings that must be transferred.
- Clean the engine’s sealing surfaces.
- Compare every coolant port and mounting point.
- Install the supplied gasket and seals.
- Tighten the fasteners to factory specifications.
- Reinstall the pulley, belt, hoses, and removed components.
- Refill with the correct coolant.
- Bleed trapped air using the factory procedure.
- Pressure-test and inspect for leakage.
Use service information for the exact vehicle. Component access differs between the 300, Challenger, Charger, Durango, and Grand Cherokee.
Inspect Related Parts
While replacing the pump, inspect:
- Thermostat and housing
- Serpentine belt
- Belt tensioner
- Idler pulleys
- Radiator hoses
- Heater hoses
- Oil-cooler fitting and seal
- Expansion tank and pressure cap
- Radiator
- Electric cooling fans
- Coolant condition
If the old coolant is contaminated, review our guide on flushing a cooling system without damaging it.
Use the Correct Mopar Coolant
Coolant specifications changed during the 2011–2020 model range. Use the coolant required for the vehicle’s exact model year and VIN.
Do not select antifreeze solely by color. Our guide to IAT, OAT and HOAT coolant types explains why chemistry matters.
Used coolant is toxic. Store it in a sealed container and keep it away from children and animals.
Warranty Coverage
AULINK advertises warranty coverage of:
- One year, or
- 50,000 kilometers, approximately 31,000 miles
Confirm whether coverage ends when either limit is reached. Buyers should also verify whether the warranty includes return shipping, installation labor, commercial use, or related engine damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles does the AULINK 68346915AA pump fit?
It is designed for selected 2011–2020 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, and Jeep Grand Cherokee models equipped with compatible 5.7L or 6.4L HEMI engines.
Is AW6653 the same as 68346915AA?
AW6653 is an aftermarket catalog reference commonly associated with the Mopar 68346915AA pump design. Always confirm the engine, VIN, ports, and fittings before treating the numbers as interchangeable.
Does this pump fit a 3.6L Pentastar?
No. The 3.6L Pentastar uses a different cooling-system design.
Does it fit a Hellcat 6.2L engine?
No. This listing is for compatible 5.7L and naturally aspirated 6.4L HEMI applications, not the supercharged 6.2L Hellcat engine.
Does it fit a 6.4L Ram 2500?
Do not assume that it does. Ram HD trucks can use a different pump assembly with additional tubes, fittings, sensors, or pulley hardware. Use a Ram-specific catalog lookup.
Are the gaskets included?
Yes. AULINK states that the required installation gaskets and seals are included.
Is the thermostat included?
The supplied description does not state that a thermostat is included. Plan to reuse or replace it separately unless the package specifically confirms otherwise.
Is the oil-cooler line fitting included?
Some listings indicate that the fitting is not included. Transfer the original fitting when required and replace its seal according to the service procedure.
Final Verdict
The AULINK 68346915AA/AW6653 water pump offers an economical replacement for compatible Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep 5.7L and 6.4L HEMI applications. Its included seals, tested construction, unitized shaft seal, and one-year/50,000-kilometer warranty make it suitable for a conventional cooling-system repair.
Confirm whether the vehicle uses an oil-cooler line fitting and retain the original pump until all fittings have been transferred.
There are no reviews yet.