How to Remove & Install a Water Pump in a1989 Honda CRX

Antifreeze is poisonous and should be handled with care.

If the radiator in your 1989 Honda CRX is full of coolant but the vehicle continues to overheat, you probably need a new water pump. A few minutes of driving and the temperature of the engine steadily climbs over the red line; the engine needs a constant flow of coolant to transfer heat from the engine core to the radiator. A broken water pump will not circulate the coolant, leading to gradual and consistent overheating. Replace the water pump in your CRX when there is no coolant flow.

Things You'll Need

• Protective eye wear
• Protective gloves
• Car jack
• Socket wrench set
• Socket wrench extender
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Shop rags
• Antifreeze

Instructions

1. Remove the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator. Drain the cooling system into an automotive fluid catcher. Make sure the engine is cold.

2. Jack the front driver's side of the vehicle off the ground. Secure the jack to the proper spot on the frame and lift the vehicle until the wheel is approximately two inches off of the ground.

3. Remove all accessory belts. Loosen the adjuster bolts on the alternator, air conditioner and power steering adjuster plates to put slack on the belts. Hand tighten the adjuster bolts temporarily so the accessories do not slide in the engine compartment.

4. Unscrew the bolt in the middle of the crankshaft pulley. Remove the pulley.

5. Remove four mounting bolts for the upper and lower timing belt covers. Remove the covers and the timing belt.

6. Remove the four water pump mounting bolts. Pull the water pump toward the front of the vehicle off the dowel pins. Remove the rubber O-ring seal in between the water pump and engine block.

Installation

1. Install the new O-ring seal and water pump. Tighten the mounting bolts to 9 foot-pounds.

2. Replace the crankshaft pulley.

3. Align the camshaft pulley so the word 'Up' is at 12 o'clock on the pulley face. Two leveling marks should line up with the top edge of the engine block behind it. Install the timing belt.

4. Turn the crankshaft pulley one-quarter turn counter clockwise or until three teeth of the timing belt turn on the pulley; the tensioner is spring loaded and will do the rest of the work. Tighten the timing belt tensioner adjuster bolt and replace the timing belt covers.

5. Replace all accessory belts and lower the vehicle. Fill the radiator with coolant and bleed the system for air bubbles.

Tips & Warnings

• Thoroughly research and perform the timing belt reinstall. Install the timing belt properly to avoid engine damage.

• Keep pets away from antifreeze; it is poisonous.

References

• "Chilton's Honda Civic, CRX and Del Sol 1984-95 Repair Manual"; Jaffer A Ahmad; 1995