How To Change Water Pump

If your car is overheating, leaking coolant or making an odd noise, it may be time to learn how to change the water pump. The water pump is a crucial piece on any engine, circulating coolant in a loop between the radiator and engine. While changing a water pump is not an easy task, it's not something that can be overlooked to keep the engine healthy.

• Screwdrivers
• Drain bucket or basin
• Ratchet and sockets
• Crowbar
• Utility knife
• Gasket scraper
• New gasket
• New water pump
• Coolant

1. Locate the water pump. The location of the water pump will vary from car to car, but its location will always near the serpentine belt because the belt drives the pump.
2. Turn off the car and allow it to cool completely. Remove any necessary components, such as the passenger's side front wheel to provide access to the water pump.
3. Drain the coolant. Place the drainage bucket or basin under the car and disconnect the drain plug on the radiator or one of the radiator hoses and allow the coolant to drain into the bucket. 
4. Remove the drive belt. Use the ratchet and sockets, plus the crowbar if necessary, to loosen the drive or serpentine belt tensioner. Take note of the orientation of the belt as it will need to be replaced in the exact same layout later on. 
5. Disconnect the hoses. Locate the hoses attached to the water pump and disconnect them. It's likely they will be difficult to remove, which can be done by splitting the ends with a utility knife. Discard old hoses.
6. Remove the water pump. Locate the bolts that attach the water pump to the engine. Use the ratchet and sockets to remove each bolt, setting the bolts aside in a safe place. Remove the water pump from the engine by pulling it away from the engine. If it's difficult to remove, tap the water pump using a mallet.
7. Clean the area. As the water pump is attached using silicone or a gasket, it's highly likely parts of that seal will remain after the water pump is removed. Carefully clean all residue from the area using the gasket scraper.
8. Install the new gasket or sealant. Per the instructions with the new water pump, install a new gasket or use sealant on the area where the water pump attaches to the engine. 
9. Install the new water pump. Place the water pump in the correct position, the same as the one you removed, and attach it using the bolts.  Be sure to use the correct length bolts in the correct areas and tighten them to the torque specified in the water pump instructions.
10. Connect the hoses. Re-attach any hoses to the water pump that was removed during the disassembly process.  
11. Install the drive belt. Using the exact same configuration as before, re-install the serpentine or drive belt. Take care that the orientation in relation to the various pulleys is the same, including the routing for the water pump pulley. Tighten the belt by rotating the belt tensioner back into its original position.
12. Fill the system with coolant. Once everything is reconnected, fill the radiator and coolant reservoir with the proper type and mix of coolant. Open the top cap of the radiator to allow the air to escape during the fill process, then replace it when complete. 
13. Start the engine and test the installation. Turn on the car and allow it to run for several minutes. Inspect the new water pump and new hoses for any leaks. Make sure the coolant appears to be properly circulating through the engine by carefully squeezing the radiator hoses, which will allow the movement of the coolant within to be felt.