How to Install an Automobile Water Pump

The water pump is a vital part of your car's engine. It is responsible for pumping the coolant from the radiator and through the engine to keep it cool. Without the water pump, an engine overheats very rapidly and can fail. Faulty water pumps break without warning and should always be replaced as a precaution instead of a repair. All engines are different, but the water pump in its fundamental form is uniform.
Before beginning this procedure, be sure to have all the parts and tools you need before tearing apart your engine. This procedure should take an afternoon, but if you tear your engine apart before realizing you forgot to get an important part, it could turn into a midnight affair. Also remember to let the engine cool down sufficiently before attempting to following any of the steps listed below. Engines get very hot when they're running!

Things You'll Need

• Complete ratchet set
• Screwdrivers (flat and phillips head)
• Gear puller
• New water pump
• New water pump gasket
• Gasket remover
• Gasket sealant
• Gasket scraper

Instructions

Remove any Attached Devices

1. Drain the coolant from the radiator. Loosen and remove the plug from the bottom of the radiator. While it is draining, unscrew the filler cap on the radiator so it will drain faster. Do not proceed until the radiator has finished draining.

2. Drain the coolant from the engine block. Loosen and remove the drain plug from the engine block (not the oil pan) that contains the coolant. Refer to your owner's manual for the location of the engine block coolant drain plug.

3. Front-wheel drive and rear-wheel/all-wheel drive cars have completely different engine arrangements. A front wheel drive car usually doesn't have a fan mounted on the water pump pulley, whereas a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive car does have a pulley-mounted fan. For a front wheel drive car, remove any devices attached to the water pump pulley that obstructs your ability to reach the water pump. This could include an intake manifold, air cleaner box, or oil filter.
   For rear-wheel or all-wheel drive cars, remove the fan from the water pump pulley assembly. Removing the radiator and fan shroud are recommended, and probably necessary in order to continue.

4. After removing any nearby obstructions, loosen any belt tensioners and remove the belt(s) from the water pump pulley.

5. Remove the water pump pulley. The water pump pulley is responsible for driving the water pump, but has to be removed in order to access the pump. There are typically several bolts holding the pulley in place. Remove any bolts and save them for reassembly.

Remove the Water Pump

1. Remove any bolts holding the water pump to the engine block. Some of the bolts and nuts are hard to find and loosen. Having extensions for your ratchet can be helpful.

2. Remove the water pump from the engine block. Be careful of any spilling coolant from the engine.

3. Clean off the remaining gasket from the engine block. It is very important to get all of the old gasket off of the engine surface. Failure to properly clean the mounting surface will result in a leak or water pump failure. Use the gasket remover and scraper to thoroughly remove the old gasket.

Install the New Water Pump

1. Replace and tighten the radiator and engine coolant plugs.

2. Install the new gasket. Apply a generous, but not messy, amount of gasket sealer to both sides of the gasket. Make sure there are no gaps in the sealant.

3. Apply some gasket sealant to the mating surface of the water pump and install it on the gasket.

4. Reassemble all of the nuts and bolts on the water pump. Be sure to tighten them properly to avoid any leaks or premature failure.

5. Reinstall the water pump pulley. Be sure to tighten the bolts properly.

6. Reinstall the water pump belt and any other belts that were attached to the water pump pulley. Be sure they are tensioned properly, otherwise they will squeak or damage other components.

7. Reinstall the fan and any other components you removed prior to replacing the water pump. Be sure to tighten everything properly and make sure no parts are laying in the engine compartment.

8. Refill the radiator with coolant and bleed the coolant hoses. Let the engine run and check for leaks from your new water pump.

Tips & Warnings

• This is a good time to check the health of your belts. Any belts that show signs of wear should also be replaced since you have to remove them to access the water pump. Belts are cheap and can be purchased at your local auto store. Check for specific instructions for replacing the water pump on your car. Chances are, you can find a guide that's made specifically for your make and model.

• Don't forget to tighten the drain plugs and add coolant to the radiator. Watch for spilling coolant when draining the radiator and engine block. Do not begin this procedure until the engine is COOL. Engine coolant gets extremely hot during operation and can burn you severely.