Repair Guide: How-To: Water Pump Replacement
#1
How-To: Water Pump Replacement
For 3400 Engine:
Removal:
1. Remove the water pump pulley bolts.
2. Remove the water pump pulley.
3. Remove the water pump bolts.
4. Remove the water pump.
5. Remove the water pump gasket.
Install:
1. Install the water pump gasket.
2. Install the water pump.
3. Install the water pump bolts. Torque to 89 lb/in
4. Install the water pump pulley.
5. Install the water pump pulley bolts. Torque to 18 lb/ft
For 3800 Engine:
(Taking passenger side tire off, and some case the hub assembly, may make reaching the water pump easier)
Removal:
1. Remove the water pump pulley bolts.
2. Remove the water pump pulley.
3. Remove the water pump bolts.
4. Remove the water pump.
5. Remove the water pump gasket.
Installation:
1. Install the water pump gasket.
2. Install the water pump.
3. Install the water pump bolts. Torque to 11 lb/ft + 80°
4. Install the water pump pulley.
5. Install the water pump pulley bolts. Torque to 116 lb/in
Removal:
1. Remove the water pump pulley bolts.
2. Remove the water pump pulley.
3. Remove the water pump bolts.
4. Remove the water pump.
5. Remove the water pump gasket.
Install:
1. Install the water pump gasket.
2. Install the water pump.
3. Install the water pump bolts. Torque to 89 lb/in
4. Install the water pump pulley.
5. Install the water pump pulley bolts. Torque to 18 lb/ft
For 3800 Engine:
(Taking passenger side tire off, and some case the hub assembly, may make reaching the water pump easier)
Removal:
1. Remove the water pump pulley bolts.
2. Remove the water pump pulley.
3. Remove the water pump bolts.
4. Remove the water pump.
5. Remove the water pump gasket.
Installation:
1. Install the water pump gasket.
2. Install the water pump.
3. Install the water pump bolts. Torque to 11 lb/ft + 80°
4. Install the water pump pulley.
5. Install the water pump pulley bolts. Torque to 116 lb/in
#2
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mentor, Ohio
Posts: 12,175
Just one thing I might add as step one.... And I feel like being "Capt. Obvious" but I'm sure someone may neglect it.... Take the belt off the car first....
#4
I had to replace this when my radiator froze (I should've flushed it instead of listening to someone else that there was enough antifreeze fr a good ratio). It's actually fairly simple. In fact, replacing the radiator and water pump were easier than replacing the thermostat.
#8
for the 3800 guys you might as well replace the coolant elbows too cuz they right there in the upper intake manifold and water pump. you do not need to take off the tire like the direction said. it's a lot easier removing the water pump from the top.
#9
I have to replace the water pump gasket on my 2003 SS. Don't you have to remove the power steering pump to get the water pump off or is there an easier way? That last water pump bolt is hidden behind the steering pump pulley wheel.
Edit: Just finished replacing water pump and yes, I had to remove the power steering pump to get the rearmost water pump bolt out. It might have been easier to get the bottom PS pump bolt out if I removed the wheel and attacked it from below but I somehow managed it from above by feel. Funny thing, almost all the accessory bolts are metric, but the small water pump bolts are 3/8 on my car. The 10mm socket kind of works but it's got enough play that if the bolts are tight you could easily round off a bolt head.
Edit: Just finished replacing water pump and yes, I had to remove the power steering pump to get the rearmost water pump bolt out. It might have been easier to get the bottom PS pump bolt out if I removed the wheel and attacked it from below but I somehow managed it from above by feel. Funny thing, almost all the accessory bolts are metric, but the small water pump bolts are 3/8 on my car. The 10mm socket kind of works but it's got enough play that if the bolts are tight you could easily round off a bolt head.
Last edited by 98Z34; 08-19-2011 at 10:49 PM.