1997 PA water pump removal help

[electra glide]

Step daughters car has a few issues and I am starting with the water pump coolant system. She had it over heat and I couldn't locate the leak so just replacing items that could have caused the problem. Replaced upper and lower hoses. Replaced thermostat. Replaced radiator cap.

Water pump removal. I have found plenty of videos except the one for this type of removal. Anyone here have a link or better pictures? My issue is the motor mount. I have it all loosened and have the floor jack under the oil pan but I can't seem to remove that mount. Does it even need to come out? I also loosened the power steering pump. The water pump pulley is off along with serpentine belt.

I started this project last night and once the power steering pump was loose I decided that was a good time to stop for the night. The engine is pretty dirty and I thought I might spray it down with Gunk cleaner tonight. It's too bad they made this car so hard to work on but it's what she owns and no money to buy a better car.

There are other issues with car but trying to fix this coolant issue first.

 

[Irish]

Looking at my 03 Park Avenue, the motor mounts are all on the bottom of the block and completely out of the way of the water pump. I replaced my water pump twice and both times it took about an hour. If the water pump isn't leaking or making noise, I probably wouldn't mess with it.

There are some plastic elbows that route the coolant through casting that holds the tensioner and into the block. These are known to fail and could be the source of your leak. I have had these fail a few times in the million or so miles that I put on the 3800's and now replace them as a preventive measure. You can buy a set of aluminum elbows made by Dorman on Amazon or at an auto parts store. The aluminum elbows are much more durable than the stock plastic ones. The plastic elbows are fairly easy to replace with or without removing the water pump. With either job you lose a lot of coolant. If you do the water pump, it won't be that much more work to do the elbows at the same time.

https://www.amazon.com/APD-58176IQ-...r=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=buick+3800+dorman+elbows

 

[STG44]

If you're going in there may as well replace those elbows because they can fail at anytime.

 

[bigsky]

Looking at my 03 Park Avenue, the motor mounts are all on the bottom of the block and completely out of the way of the water pump.

The motor mount was redesigned in 2000...1997-99 has a different design...very difficult for maintenance purposes. The mount has to be removed just to change the drive belt. I am not sure if the mount has to be removed for the water pump.

The redesign of the mount was a great gift from GM...very nice when the engineers make these types of changes...!

 

[Lubener]

The motor mount was redesigned in 2000...1997-99 has a different design...very difficult for maintenance purposes. The mount has to be removed just to change the drive belt. I am not sure if the mount has to be removed for the water pump.

The redesign of the mount was a great gift from GM...very nice when the engineers make these types of changes...!

BTW- you don't have to remove the mount to change the belt. There is a short cut, you only have to remove one long bolt from the mount and the metal spacer the bolt goes thru.You can then pull out the belt. You do have to access it by removing a small plastic shield in the right wheel well.
OP may have the job done but others wanting to replace the elbows with the aluminum ones. Discard the o rings which come with the Dorman and replace them with the AC Delco ones. they are thicker and better. Use a silicon grease on the o ring prior to installing.
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...019876,cooling+system,coolant+hose+seal,15190

 

[bigsky]

BTW- you don't have to remove the mount to change the belt. There is a short cut, you only have to remove one long bolt from the mount and the metal spacer the bolt goes thru.You can then pull out the belt. You do have to access it by removing a small plastic shield in the right wheel well.

Yes thank you...I remember reading about that when I had the 97-99 year PA's. Does this method still require the 2x4 wood across the oil pan & a jack to support the engine? Seems like the manual suggested something like that to change the belt...?

 

[Lubener]

I did support the engine as a precaution but I do not think it was needed as there are other bolts in place for support. Never hurts to be safe.