Thanks Buford T.
JuSStice for the credit of the idea. I usually need someone to
prod me to start something so thanks for that! Most of my information
I've learned was from going through the past forum threads about this,
Information from members of my local car club, doing the job 3 times
(cause I fooked up) and "TheFooserGuy"
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Symptoms of a bad waterpump:
http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=248868
* Coolant coming out of the weep
hole (under the waterpump directly above your high $$$ opti) This is
the best sign
* Car overheating (There is a lot of causes of this but
this can be 1 of many)
* Leaks around clamped in pieces (Not around hoses but
metal to metal)
* Smell of antifreeze under the hood (FIND THE SOURCE!)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Which waterpump to get: (If you are NOT going
electric)
* Most autopart stores carry re-manufactured and *new*
waterpumps. I've experienced poor quality from both. As mentioned
above, check the fittings of the waterpump where the smaller hoses
(from the "T" fitting and heatercore) come into the pump. YOU
SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE THESE. If you can, tell them you don't
want it. The piece will definitely leak out of this joint if you put
it on your car.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Which waterpump to get: (If you ARE going
electric)
* I have no experience with these. There are pros and
cons with going to an electric.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation Guide:
1. Read up on what you are going to do. Don't just look
here, read your FSM or other book that tells you how to do it as well.
Use common sense unless you don't have any, in which case you should
just take it to the shop and pay to get it done (Hopefully you have
more money than sense)
2. Get the car to where you want it and let it cool
(Hot coolant will burn you)
3. Ramp up car - Follow all typical safety procedures.
Don't jack your car up on a muddy driveway and get under it, etc...
4. Get your tools ready. You will need various metric
sockets to take off the waterpump bolts, towels and rags, a
screwdriver and other "scraping" devices, torque wrench, put the beer
in the fridge now (no beer till the job is DONE!)
5. Put a towel/rag under the waterpump and on top of
the opti to protect it from any coolant that will spash on it.
Antifreeze in opti = sad opti = $$$ = you not happy. In fact don't get
coolant anywhere except in the bucket. If you get it on the paint wipe
that stuff off with the quickness!
6. Make sure you have plenty of time to do what you
need to do here and don't rush or do a 1/2 ass job. I've done this 3
times because I didn't listen, thought I knew better, and just wanted
to get it done. This will cost you more time, money, and hassle that
no one has right now.
7. Drain the coolant. Take the cap off of the reservoir
tank. You don't "have to" drain it all but your already here and have
the bucket out so nut up and shut up and do it. Take the lower
radiator hose off and stick it in the bucket ASAP or your get your
shoes wet.
8. Drain the block. Pull the knock sensors and get all
of that crud out of there. This stuff can be nasty... (You may want to
fill your cooling system with water and remove the T-Stat to get some
more crud out. DO NOT DO THIS ON A HOT ENGINE. I'm not
responsible if you crack your block)
9. This is a great time to flush your heatercore (You
have to take the hoses off at the waterpump anyway) Guide to do that
is here : I really couldn't find a good thread I liked, someone
please find one for me thanks.
10. Disconnect all hoses going to the waterpump. (This
is a great time to upgrade your hoses too)
11. Remove the coolant temp sensor for the fans.
located below. Clean the threads with a wire brush, put blue thread
lock on it. Make sure you put it on the new waterpump so you don't
forget about it.
12. Remove the (6) bolts that connect the Waterpump to
the block. The exact size isn't coming to mind but you will need a
deep socket for these as I recall (or that is what I used)
13. Remove the waterpump (Should just pull out, only
gasket holding it in place)
14. Remove the thermostat housing (on top of the
waterpump) and thermostat. Put these in the new waterpump. DO NOT
OVERTIGHTEN THE BOLTS. I believe the FSM says 20lbs of torque, this is
incorrect, it should be 8lbs. If you start leaking from here after all
is said and done you can tighten them down a bit more but DO NOT
STRIP THE THREADS ON THE WATERPUMP (Especially after you have the
new one on your car, you will be pissed, ask me how I know)
15. scrap the gasket that stuck to the block off.
Don't be a pansy on this, when you think you got it good and clean
go over it again. This gasket it the only thing keeping the
pressurized coolant from leaking out. And it wants out SOOOO bad.
16. Clean the front of your engine. Your there, if you
have time give it a little TLC
18. Take a look at the bolts that hold the waterpump
on. Take a steel brush and clean the threads really good. (again,
don't be a pansy) You are going to need some blue thread lock.
IF YOU DO NOT PUT THREAD LOCK ON YOUR BOLTS THE COOLANT WILL SEEP UP
THE THREADS AND YOU WILL HAVE LEAKS/DRIPS Ask me how I know.
19. Take a break
20. Your ready to put the new pump on. You need to put
sealant on BOTH SIDES of the gasket. Don't be a pansy here
either. Your not making a grilled cheese sandwich, spread that
ish around to all the corners and edges. I find it's easier to (have
your dad do it but I watched him) stick it on one side, put that on
the waterpump, then put the sealeant on the otherside now that it is
attached to the waterpump.
21. Stick a few bolts in the waterpump and get those
bolts started on the block, use these to help guide the waterpump to
the right spot.
22. Bolt on the waterpump, follow the manual for torque
specs (I need to look this up later)
20. Connect all hoses and caps and plugs you took off
to drain.
25. Plug in the coolant temperature sensor. (Hope you
remembered to remove it and didn't leave it on the waterpump that you
returned to O'Rielly's yesterday for your core charge and it's 9PM on
a Sunday... Ask me how I know)
32. Look for leaks, smell for antifreeze (you may smell
some from have it dripping everywhere but it should go away in 24
hours unless you dumped it everywhere)
