Water pump replacement needed

[kmart2026]

Had a small puddle of antifreeze under my car yesterday and this morning. Thought it might have been the coolant elbows since I just did those a few days ago with my tensioner. Bottom side of the water pump was wet and had black sludge on it. Most parts below that were wet too. Only leaking after I drive it and it’s been off a bit. But then stops. From what I can see this is a somewhat easy job. Any tips on this? I’ve never done one.

 

[CottonPicker]

Job is simple for the most part. When sourcing the WP I use to use RA and Gates WP. I had TWO of them fail at 4,520 miles and 5,200 miles on my 3800. (Had two WP fail on my other car same symptoms) Same symptoms. Knocking and leaking. Leaked to the point it destroyed me new gates belts.
Contact Gates Tech. Explained. Stated" Rock Auto is NOT an authorized Gates dealer. Only help was "They are knockoffs". Could have gone through RA warranty again - No thanks. Used A/C Delco now (they are even Made in China.)
Found Gates Thermostats are Motorrad. Contact Gates, "They are one of our suppliers now".

 

[ulycyc]

This may be helpful.

 

[kmart2026]

Got to taking the pulley off and one of the bolts felt like it either had the head broken off or is an Allen or torx head. Picture to see which one I mean. So I said screw it for tonight. May try again tomorrow or just find a mechanic nearby that I can get this done at. Currently away for work so that’ll be fun.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Thats called a Dowel.
These BOLTS ARE SAE.
3/8 for the small ones. (10mm is close but NOT RIGHT)
1/2 for the large ones (I think) (13mm is close BUT NOT RIGHT)

You need thread sealant on the large bolts, they thread into the coolant jacket. i recommend high temp thread sealer on all bolts to keep them from rusting into engine

NOTE: I missplaced the bottom right yellow and red X's, they are swapped

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Got to taking the pulley off and one of the bolts felt like it either had the head broken off or is an Allen or torx head. Picture to see which one I mean. So I said screw it for tonight. May try again tomorrow or just find a mechanic nearby that I can get this done at. Currently away for work so that’ll be fun.

with the bolts out, wack the pulley with a mallet you should remove the thing, it sticks sometimes

 

[02LTD2.0]

You should use the blue Fel-Pro gasket to avoid leaks.

 

[02LTD2.0]

Fel-Pro 35351
The paper gaskets need sealer.
No sealer required with the blue Fel-Pro.
Just be sure to tighten in a cross cross pattern.

 

[kmart2026]

Thank you everyone. It was getting late and felt that but couldn’t see it so I’ll try this again. Got the fel pro metal gasket. After the pulley was off it doesn’t look that bad of a leak just from the weep hole. And possibly bottom of the gasket.

 

[kmart2026]

Trying this again. I’m at the point of loosening the power steering pump. Got the top bolt out and maybe a quarter of the way on the bottom. Can you get this bolt out like this? Or is it easier to fully remove the power steering pump? That seems like it would be more of a job to get back on than the water pump.

 

[02LTD2.0]

The power steering pump has to move out of the way to access the two rear most bolts on the water pump.

 

[kmart2026]

I figured that one out. Almost done removing the old one, so far so good, had to take a break from lunch until now for work stuff. Any tips for getting the Power steering pump back on without taking the wheel off?

 

[02LTD2.0]

You start one bolt and then the other by feel. I figured all of that out 18 years ago.
It's probably easier to remove the wheel. I've done it all from the top but that power steering pump can get a bit heavy while you're holding it in place.

 

[kmart2026]

Got the new water pump on last night, system filled from the thermostat housing. all good there. I cannot get the power steering pump back on. just played with it for an hour. Would taking off the alternator and tensioner help at all? I'm away with work right now so I don't have a good jack with me just the spare tire one, otherwise id try to take the wheel off.

 

[02LTD2.0]

Try it again. It's only 2 bolts IIRC.

 

[kmart2026]

Try it again. It's only 2 bolts IIRC.

Took the alternator and Tensioner off during my lunch break. Got the top bolt right away from there, full line of sight. Bottom took a few minutes, but got it on. Gonna fill some antifreeze through the tensioner while its open get some in the lower part of the engine before I fill the rest through the thermostat. I'd recommend taking both of these off in the beginning of this process for some one doing this for the first time( like me). There's a lot more room to work in and you can see a lot better.

 

[kmart2026]

All done, Thanks for your help everyone! I ended up filling the system about halfway through the tensioner and spun the water pump by hand to get the Coolant in the lower half of the system. Seemed to work well for burping it afterward. only did that for about 20 mins. then it was good. Did a short drive around the block and hopefully Its all good for another 184k

 

[02LTD2.0]

If you ever move up to the 2000-2005 LeSabre the power steering pump doesn't have to be removed. My 2002 was very easy to do. Just the water pump.... nothing else has to be removed.

 

[kmart2026]

I've thought about it. but I Like the park ave Ultras a little more than that gen Lesabre. the supercharged engine is just the right amount of fast.

 

[02LTD2.0]

I would have liked a supercharged LeSabre but unfortunately they never made one. Never really liked the Park Avenue.