Thread: Water Pump tips?

just so you know going in, the p/s pump needs to come off, and if your a gtp the lower sc belt idler needs to come off, it could be a t55 or a 15 mm. you'll want to see what you got before you start the job or you'll be stuck. the pump and that pulley block the long bolts from coming all the way out.

i lake to break the 4 w/p pulley bolts free, then re move the belt, reverse that when finishing up.

clean the timing cover of old gasket and use a dry gasket. and thread sealant on the 4 long bolts, coolant will come out the block when you remove them. why you need new sealant.

If you choose to do the coupler, pull the alternator and the alt bracket. Do the coolant elbows while you were there and you'll be able to get at the bolts easier.

Scott mentions pulling the pulley. The stand that the pulley bolts to is still partially in the way. I like to grind a little of the area to get to the bolt w/o pulling the stand. If you pull that stand, make sure you keep those bolts with it. They are slightly different thread than the rest. Also seal them again when putting them in.

A hose clamp tool is great to have for the lower hose.

I also use this method to remove the bolts on the pump

Loosening a water pump pulley - YouTube

breaking the little w/p pulley bolts free then removing the belt is the easiest way by far. i think you'd have a hard time getting a screw driver to lock on our little bolts. iirc they are 8 mm?

and i was able to wiggle past the idler stand, no big deal really.

It's simple and quick believe it or not. Plus then you know you have them locked back down when tightening.

ive used the belt many times. 3 years later, still tight.

if you forget to make em tight "like i did once" it kinda sounds like a rod knock lol

Yeah..was on the call for that one !

My way.. you do it before the belt and the pulley is nice and tight. No worries, no mistakes.....no potential worry of rod knock.

lefty loosey

righty tighty.

actually, some do come with a bolt. torx do kinda suck.

try a few taps with a hammer. might help break it free with a new bit.

Scott.. take another look at which way that pulley spins.. are you sure it's lefty loosey?

Because.. I could go double check it.. but I am thinking.. it's only been 3 years since I've touched one and I believe it to be opposite.

all of mine are normal threads. ive heard of H bodys having reversed threads on one pulley.

There's def one on H bodies. I really thought there was one on W as well. Like I said.. it's been a while. I'll be wrong again tomorrow. lol

Left hand thread in tensioner pulleys W and H.

W are a hex
H are a crappy torx