How to Replace a Car Water Pump

The purpose of a car water pump is to ensure the proper flow of coolant through your vehicle's cooling system. If you find that your pump's pulley bearing is shot or the pump gasket is leaking fluid, it's time to replace your water pump. With a little bit of effort and knowledge, you'll be able to save yourself the time and expense of taking your car to the shop for repairs.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drain pan
• Socket set
• Wrench
• Automobile owner's manual
• Engine coolant

1. Find a water pump for your car at one of the websites listed at GlobalSources.com (see Resources Below).

2. Turn off your car's engine. Allow the engine to cool down completely.

3. Locate your car's battery. Disconnect the battery's ground.

4. Set up a drain pan beneath your engine, and drain the contents of your car's cooling system into it. Make sure the cooling compartment is completely drained before proceeding.

5. Find your alternator's mounting brackets, and loosen them in order to remove your car's drive belts. Use sockets of the appropriate size to unfasten and lift the drive belts away.

6. Clear any accessories or clutter out of the path of the water pump. To access the water pump, you may also need to remove your engine's pulley, fan and/or fan shroud.

7. Disconnect any hoses that are attached to the water pump. Using a wrench or socket, loosen the screws that hold the water pump in place and gently remove it from the engine. Place it aside, out of the way.

8. Perform a visual inspection of the engine block, especially in the area where the water pump was. If it needs cleaning, clean it up using a rag along with a cleanser, if desired.

9. Change the pump's gaskets if they're broken or damaged.

10. Line up a new water pump, and lay it in place of the old one. Make sure that you consult your car's owner's manual beforehand to double-check the torque specifications for your car. Your water pump needs to be bolted at a certain pressure to be secured properly.

11. Reconnect the hoses to the new water pump.

12. Put anything else you removed back where you found it and how you found it. Make sure that any belts you replace are properly adjusted to your car's tension specs.

13. Refill your car's cooling system. Take the opportunity to upgrade to a better antifreeze or coolant product.

14. Plug the battery's ground back in once more. Start your car and perform a visual inspection to ensure that everything is running as it ought to be.

Tips & Warnings

• It is easier to replace a car water pump in a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Cars with front-wheel drive usually have their engines oriented sideways, which means you'll have to remove a lot more engine components to get at the water pump. In such a case, unless you know your way around cars fairly well, it might be a better idea to take your car to a mechanic.
• Always keep a first-aid kit at hand when you're doing any work on your car's engine.
• Always work in a well-ventilated area, particularly if you need to run your car's engine.
• This task requires a good working knowledge of automobile engines. If you lack it, leave the task to someone who knows what he is doing.

Resources

• Water pump suppliers at GlobalResources.com

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[DebbieV18S]

on 4/27/2008 The timing belt is in the way on my 1997 Dodge Neon.
Is there ANY way to change my water pump without removing the timing belt? It seems like my only option as I look at it. Which means I guess I should replace the timing belt if I have to take it off!

Any help out there, my daughter needs her car to drive to classes!