Replacing the water pump - how hard is it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Very easy. A set of wrenches and a socket set. And something to catch the coolant.
Get a book. GM Shop Manual is best. Chilton and Haynes are good. Even better, get all 3.
Get a book. GM Shop Manual is best. Chilton and Haynes are good. Even better, get all 3.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
Originally Posted by seventyeightcorvette
How do you do it and how difficult is it? What kind of tools do you need?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Tools? off the top of my head...
3/8" ratchet handle
1/2" & 9/16" sockets
Box/open end wrenches of same size
Gasket scraper
tube of RTV blue
screwdriver (flat blade most likely)
process.. again off the top of my head...others please chime in to supplement or correct me
- Place drip pan/bucket under car - disconnect lower rad. hose.
- collect antifreeze
(note: antifreeze can be lethal to animals - if there are pets in your house/neighborhood - collect the antifreeze in a bucket dont just let it run down the street) - disconnect heater hoses from water pump.
- Loosen belt drive accessories adjustment nuts
- once loosened - remove belts - noting their respective locations
- remove fan from nose of water pump (it may be possible to push teh fan forward in the fan shroud and leave it there but removing it out of your way is better)
- remove pully from nose of water pump
- depending on your accessorise you may have to remove the power steering pump bracket to remove the water pump - if so note the exact way this connects so you can reinstall it
- once everything is removed from the water pump and the water is drained... remove the 4 bolts that hold the pump to the front of the motor.
Note: adjustment brackets probably attach to the water pump...make sure to note which go where... - Old pumps will most likely stick to the face of the motor - a light rap with a mallet will free it if need be.
- use gasket scraper or razor blade to remove old gasket material
- apply new gaskets to block using the RTV as an adhesive (I actually use gaskacinch instead of RTV.. but I think most people use the RTV)
- apply thin skim of rtv to gasket face of pump...you DO NOT have to use much...some use none and are quite successful.
- reinstall pump using same bolts (you should have noted which bolts go where - as there are differing lengths)
- if you used RTV - it will squeeze out...clean excess off because excess RTV spooge looks like hell...
- Reverse disassembly process
- Refill radiator reusing coolant (if your bucket was a clean one) otherwise refill with proper mixture of water/antifreeeze and discard of old antifreeze properly (some jiffy lubes will take it from you).
Note: you will likely spill some antifreeze on the ground...you have two options (cat litter or other garage oil pickup material to collect it and dispose of.. or massively dilute what you spilled with your garden hose to make sure that it poses no threat to animals)
thats really abbreviated....you would be far better served if you purchased an inexpensive Haynes or Chilton manual for your car and read up on the process as they outline it.
For a rookie its probably not much more than a few hours work.
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
As said above: it's a nice Saturday morning job even for a rookie.... AutoZone and AdvancedAuto are open during that time just in case you need tools ...
The cat litter is a good idea, a lot cheaper than the "high quality" stuff
---> it will definately do the job 
I would not drain the radiator and disconnect the lower hose , just disconnect at the pump and collect as much anti freeze/water as you can.
A clean surface for the new gaskets is most important, make sure it's dry when you put the RTV on there.
Get one or two books that have photos that show the installation - it's really a piece of cake ..... or better: take some digital photos while you take it apart so you know how it goes back together
The cat litter is a good idea, a lot cheaper than the "high quality" stuff
---> it will definately do the job I would not drain the radiator and disconnect the lower hose , just disconnect at the pump and collect as much anti freeze/water as you can.
A clean surface for the new gaskets is most important, make sure it's dry when you put the RTV on there.
Get one or two books that have photos that show the installation - it's really a piece of cake
..... or better: take some digital photos while you take it apart so you know how it goes back together
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
Thanks for all of the help. It really doesnt seem to bad of a job. Oh, by the way, can I use to front car ramps with jack stands for additional support? Is that enought room underneath to get the job done?
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
Originally Posted by seventyeightcorvette
Thanks for all of the help. It really doesnt seem to bad of a job. Oh, by the way, can I use to front car ramps with jack stands for additional support? Is that enought room underneath to get the job done?
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,601
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by grayhook
It's more of a over the fender job.
Just have a catch for the coolant. I've heard stray animals like to drink spilled coolant. I had a post on swapping my water pump, but it looks like it's been lost.And be careful of the valve hiding under the smog pump. I busted mine because I didn't see it there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
Originally Posted by fauxrs2
Note: adjustment brackets probably attach to the water pump...make sure to note which go where...
you should have noted which bolts go where - as there are differing lengths
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
Loosen the alt belt, unbolt the fan, slide the pulley off, unbolt the pump, use new gaskets, fill with coolant, good to go.
Are you sure your water pump went bad? Could be the thermostat if it's overheating.
Are you sure your water pump went bad? Could be the thermostat if it's overheating.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
Why would you drain the radiator ? Just disconnect the water pump and let it drain from there... the lower hose is a PITA
This is one of those "while you are at it" responses. Since you have to drop the water pump and are going to lose most of your coolant, now is a great time to completely flush and fill your cooling system. How many of you have actually dropped the block drain plugs to completely drain and flush the block? The whole procedure takes less than an hour and then you won't be mixing old, tired out antifreeze with new stuff. Of course, use distilled water with the antifreeze.
Gary
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by GaryS
This is one of those "while you are at it" responses. Since you have to drop the water pump and are going to lose most of your coolant, now is a great time to completely flush and fill your cooling system. How many of you have actually dropped the block drain plugs to completely drain and flush the block? The whole procedure takes less than an hour and then you won't be mixing old, tired out antifreeze with new stuff. Of course, use distilled water with the antifreeze.
Gary
Gary
this is another one of those "While your at it responses also"
how many miles are on the engine? is it the original timing chain and gear set? if so now is the time to do it.especially since you are that far in to the front of the engine.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
Likes: 2
From: CO
Originally Posted by 1Z87L8
Gary,
this is another one of those "While your at it responses also"
how many miles are on the engine? is it the original timing chain and gear set? if so now is the time to do it.especially since you are that far in to the front of the engine.
this is another one of those "While your at it responses also"
how many miles are on the engine? is it the original timing chain and gear set? if so now is the time to do it.especially since you are that far in to the front of the engine.
I am a complete rookie and I replaced my water pump (easy job even for me). Someone told me "do the timing chain" and I didn't. I had to re-do my water pump when I did the timing chain!
Basically, its a good idea to to the timing chain while you are at it. It really isn't hard, you will need a harmonic balancer removal and installation tool.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
Originally Posted by 1Z87L8
Gary,
this is another one of those "While your at it responses also"
how many miles are on the engine? is it the original timing chain and gear set? if so now is the time to do it.especially since you are that far in to the front of the engine.
this is another one of those "While your at it responses also"
how many miles are on the engine? is it the original timing chain and gear set? if so now is the time to do it.especially since you are that far in to the front of the engine.
this was going to be my response as well. but VERY importantly, you have to consider WHY did the water pump fail? 9 times out of 10 its caused by the clutch fan. when the cf goes and starts to wobble it will take the water pump bearings with it! if you dont replace the cf, you might be doing this job again real soon. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
"while you're at it" it's a good idea to replace the timing chain set
but now you're dropping the oil pan........
now it's time to get a 2-piece timing chain cover to simplify the re-assembly and get it leak-free
but now you're dropping the oil pan........
now it's time to get a 2-piece timing chain cover to simplify the re-assembly and get it leak-free