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How To

How to Replace the Water Pump in a Chevy Impala

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(2 Ratings)

The water pump is the heart of the Chevy Impala's cooling system, circulating the coolant. A faulty water pump can cause some serious damage to the engine of your Chevrolet Impala. Make sure to change out a bad water pump.

Difficulty: Challenging
Instructions

    3.1L & 3.4L Impala Engines

  1. Step 1

    Place a drain pan underneath the radiator. When the engine is cool, drain the cooling system from the radiator into the pan.

  2. Step 2

    Disconnect the negative battery cable.

  3. Step 3

    Remove the accessory drive belt guard and the accessory drive belt.

  4. Step 4

    Loosen the water pump pulley bolts and remove the water pump pulley along with the water pump from the engine.

  5. Step 5

    Install the new water pump along with a new gasket, tightening the bolts to 89 inch pounds (10 Nm).

  6. Step 6

    Reinstall the water pump pulley, tightening the bolts to 18 foot pounds (25 Nm).

  7. Step 7

    Insert the accessory drive belt back into the engine along with the drive belt guard.

  8. Step 8

    Reattach the negative battery cable and refill the cooling system. Start the car and check for leaks when the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

  9. 3.5L Impala Engine

  10. Step 1

    Drain the cooling system about half way.

  11. Step 2

    Disconnect the surge tank outlet hose and remove the drive belt, the idler pulley and the water pump pulley.

  12. Step 3

    Loosen the long and short bolts to the water pump and remove them along with the pump, making note of where the bolts go for when you install the replacement pump.

  13. Step 4

    Install the new pump with a new gasket, tightening the bolts to 124 inch pounds (14 Nm).

  14. Step 5

    Reattach the water pump pulley, tightening the bolts to 106 inch pounds (12 Nm).

  15. Step 6

    Install the idler pulley, tightening the bolts to 37 foot pounds.

  16. Step 7

    Reinstall the drive belt and reattach the surge tank hose.

  17. Step 8

    Refill the cooling system. Start the car and check for leaks when the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

  18. 5.3L Impala Engine

  19. Step 1

    Drain the coolant from the cooling system.

  20. Step 2

    Remove the entire car battery along with the battery tray. Disconnect and remove the drive belt.

  21. Step 3

    Loosen and remove the three water pump bolts and remove the water pump and gasket.

  22. Step 4

    Clean the water pump gasket mating surfaces and install a new gasket.

  23. Step 5

    Install the new pump, tightening the three bolts to 89 inch pounds (10 Nm). Reinstall the drive belt.

  24. Step 6

    Reinstall the battery with the battery tray and refill the cooling system. Start the car and check for leaks when the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

Tips & Warnings
  • Loud noises coming from the cooling system in your Chevrolet Impala could be a sign that your water pump needs replacing. A leak in the coolant may also be an indicator.
  • Disconnecting the negative battery cable may reset the on-board computer system or parts of the computer system, so be aware that you may have to reset certain settings.
  • Never attempt to drain the radiator when the engine in your Chevrolet Impala is hot. The steam and the hot coolant within the radiator can cause serious burns.
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