Change water pump yourself?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
Change water pump yourself?
My 2003 coupe needs a new water pump at 131k. I’ve got a new AC Delhi pump and a set of jack stands. I’ve read the procedure and it doesn’t look all that complicated.
Any experience/insight doing it yourself with no lift, just jack stands? Understood you don’t need to jack it up to actually change the pump; thinking more about getting underneath to drain the coolant.
Thanks
Any experience/insight doing it yourself with no lift, just jack stands? Understood you don’t need to jack it up to actually change the pump; thinking more about getting underneath to drain the coolant.
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 232
From: Round Rock Texas
Hardest part was getting the old gaskets off block. Lucky found a razor and they came off. If you plan the change thermostat at this time (160?) this woulb be the time. It should be a thermostat by itself not one built into the neck housing. Also check any hoses if they need to be replaced.
Only use Dex cool antifreeze.
I think I ran my car up on ramps to give me room for stuff I am going to drop under the car.
Only use Dex cool antifreeze.
I think I ran my car up on ramps to give me room for stuff I am going to drop under the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,738
Likes: 76
From: Bloomington IL
I just changed mine out when I replaced my ac compressor. The hardest thing for me was making sure the water pump gaskets stayed in place while I was installing. Watched a few YouTube videos and saw a guy use rubber bands to keep the gaskets in place. Worked like a charm!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
I just changed mine out when I replaced my ac compressor. The hardest thing for me was making sure the water pump gaskets stayed in place while I was installing. Watched a few YouTube videos and saw a guy use rubber bands to keep the gaskets in place. Worked like a charm!
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Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 515
Likes: 279
From: Carol Stream (Chicago suburbs) IL
I replaced mine last year without getting underneath it (this was before I had a floor jack and jack stands)- I was able to drain the coolant by removing the hoses from the water pump with a catch pan underneath. I found the easiest way to get the serpentine belt off was removing it from the water pump bell and when replacing, putting the belt around the water pump bell last. Have a serpentine routing diagram handy.
I found some of the hoses a bit difficult to remove, I used a dental style tool (pick) to get underneath the hose and ran it around the circumference and that proved to be a huge help in getting the hoses off. There is actually a specific tool for this (hose removal hook), but the dental tool worked just fine for me in order to break the adhesion.
I encountered no issues with the old gaskets (thankfully). Getting the new gaskets in place was the most challenging part of the job for me- I used the rubber band trick- and it worked like a charm. Also you should put in a new thermostat while you are at it. Be advised there are two styles of thermostats for our cars; I bought the wrong one and ended up having to run to an auto parts store to get the correct one.
I found some of the hoses a bit difficult to remove, I used a dental style tool (pick) to get underneath the hose and ran it around the circumference and that proved to be a huge help in getting the hoses off. There is actually a specific tool for this (hose removal hook), but the dental tool worked just fine for me in order to break the adhesion.
I encountered no issues with the old gaskets (thankfully). Getting the new gaskets in place was the most challenging part of the job for me- I used the rubber band trick- and it worked like a charm. Also you should put in a new thermostat while you are at it. Be advised there are two styles of thermostats for our cars; I bought the wrong one and ended up having to run to an auto parts store to get the correct one.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
I replaced mine last year without getting underneath it (this was before I had a floor jack and jack stands)- I was able to drain the coolant by removing the hoses from the water pump with a catch pan underneath. I found the easiest way to get the serpentine belt off was removing it from the water pump bell and when replacing, putting the belt around the water pump bell last. Have a serpentine routing diagram handy.
I found some of the hoses a bit difficult to remove, I used a dental style tool (pick) to get underneath the hose and ran it around the circumference and that proved to be a huge help in getting the hoses off. There is actually a specific tool for this (hose removal hook), but the dental tool worked just fine for me in order to break the adhesion.
I encountered no issues with the old gaskets (thankfully). Getting the new gaskets in place was the most challenging part of the job for me- I used the rubber band trick- and it worked like a charm. Also you should put in a new thermostat while you are at it. Be advised there are two styles of thermostats for our cars; I bought the wrong one and ended up having to run to an auto parts store to get the correct one.
I found some of the hoses a bit difficult to remove, I used a dental style tool (pick) to get underneath the hose and ran it around the circumference and that proved to be a huge help in getting the hoses off. There is actually a specific tool for this (hose removal hook), but the dental tool worked just fine for me in order to break the adhesion.
I encountered no issues with the old gaskets (thankfully). Getting the new gaskets in place was the most challenging part of the job for me- I used the rubber band trick- and it worked like a charm. Also you should put in a new thermostat while you are at it. Be advised there are two styles of thermostats for our cars; I bought the wrong one and ended up having to run to an auto parts store to get the correct one.
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 244
Likes: 131
From: Beautiful Texas Hill Country
Good idea, that original plastic radiator drain valve is a real pain but cheap to replace. With a needle nose plier twist counter clockwise a quarter turn and pull about 1/3" or until draining commences. Draining from a loosened radiator hose may get antifreeze all over the garage floor if the container is misjudged..I misjudged the last change. If you are planning to replace the hoses anyway (great idea if original or older replacements), just make a small slice with a something sharp, in the bottom of the lower hose close to the drain with the pan directly under it. Not as messy. Replacing the water-pump yourself is very satisfying and a great learning experience!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
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From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Best thing to do to make the gaskets stick?
Right when you start the job, before you do anything, buy a bottle of Permatex Indian Head gasket shellac. Take the pump out, apply brown magical goop, sit gaskets in place.
While you're removing the old one and draining the coolant, they will stick. Then you can literally just pop it in.
Not a bad job, but not very fun leaning over the car from the awkward side angles due to the hood. And the driver's side would be infinitely easier if the PS reservoir weren't in the way.... but yeah this is definitely a DIY level project.
Right when you start the job, before you do anything, buy a bottle of Permatex Indian Head gasket shellac. Take the pump out, apply brown magical goop, sit gaskets in place.
While you're removing the old one and draining the coolant, they will stick. Then you can literally just pop it in.
Not a bad job, but not very fun leaning over the car from the awkward side angles due to the hood. And the driver's side would be infinitely easier if the PS reservoir weren't in the way.... but yeah this is definitely a DIY level project.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,668
Best thing to do to make the gaskets stick?
Right when you start the job, before you do anything, buy a bottle of Permatex Indian Head gasket shellac. Take the pump out, apply brown magical goop, sit gaskets in place.
While you're removing the old one and draining the coolant, they will stick. Then you can literally just pop it in.
Not a bad job, but not very fun leaning over the car from the awkward side angles due to the hood. And the driver's side would be infinitely easier if the PS reservoir weren't in the way.... but yeah this is definitely a DIY level project.
Right when you start the job, before you do anything, buy a bottle of Permatex Indian Head gasket shellac. Take the pump out, apply brown magical goop, sit gaskets in place.
While you're removing the old one and draining the coolant, they will stick. Then you can literally just pop it in.
Not a bad job, but not very fun leaning over the car from the awkward side angles due to the hood. And the driver's side would be infinitely easier if the PS reservoir weren't in the way.... but yeah this is definitely a DIY level project.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
Got it done. And yes - keeping the gaskets in place while installing was the toughest part. Took me a bit but overall it wasn’t really that bad.
I tried to be careful taking the radiator drain plug out but it just kept spinning. The pin was sheared off so I had to pull it out. Replaced with a Dorman one (with the winged tab) and all good.
So far no runs, no drips, no errors. Saved myself the $250-ish that the local dealer quoted me for the labor.
I tried to be careful taking the radiator drain plug out but it just kept spinning. The pin was sheared off so I had to pull it out. Replaced with a Dorman one (with the winged tab) and all good.
So far no runs, no drips, no errors. Saved myself the $250-ish that the local dealer quoted me for the labor.
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