vandelay101

Well guys..

I'm pretty sure my water pump is bad. I reached behind the pulley to the weep hole and my fingers got all wet. Shop states it's a 4 hour job and wants 400-500..REDICULOUS.

I can get an AC delco pump for $126 including tax where I work. Aftermarket probably cheaper but I had whoes from my aftermarket alternator install.

Anyway..I've changed spark plugs on my car, alternator twice, and put a new tension pulley on. This couldn't be that much work.

This is what I picked up so far from the forums, but would like some more input from all that have experience with this.

Here's what I got so far:

1.Unbolt and move the power steering bracket and one coil of the coil pack (on 3.4L)
2.Detach the coolant hoses from the water pump. (after draining the system)
3. Unbolt the water pump pulley, and unbolt the water pump.
For installation, make sure all of the old gasket is off the block before you put the new one on, and make sure to use some silicon sealant on both sides of the gasket for proper sealing.


Thanks guys all all your help to save me some cash will be appreciated.

Robert O.
1995 Camaro 3.4L

Duke901

Yup thats about it. I did mine and it wasnt to bad.

vandelay101

My biggest fear is getting the bolts off in one piece. Any hardships getting those bolts off or were they as easy as my tension pulley and alternator. What do you use on the bolts when you place them back in. Antiseize or threadlocker??

Thanks,

Rob

Duke901

The bolts came off pretty easy. I didnt put nothing on the bolts, you might want to put something on them.
Mike

OneSickSix

****, when I did mine since the dexcool was eating intake manifold gaskets what I did was just started at the top.. Took off the upper & lower intake manifold, undid the belt, took the air cleaner tubing out, and bam -- everything was right there. Then cleaned all the surfaces did a little work to the intake manifolds *cough cough..they're stock *, installed new water pump, gaskets, cleaned throttlebody, did full tune up, and all for about $300..

Duke901

What year is yours, mine is a 94 and it used normal antifreeze.

vandelay101

Mines a 95 an I assumed it just used regular antifreeze. Someone probably just converted his over to dexcool.

Anyway, I took my waterpump pully off Saturday and what I think is the weephole did not look wet. Almost looked like the leak is coming from behind the pump. Someone told me it could be a front main seal leak or front cover leak..but I really don't know what to look for to diagnose that.

There is acutually a shop at the corner of my street that my neibors rave about so I may take it over there to get the sucker on a lift. I'll keep everyone posted.

Thanks guys,

Rob O
1995 Camaro 3.4

vandelay101

I guess there are 2 weep holes for some reason?? The one on top looked clean and I only assumed there was one. That might explain why it looks like water is dripping under the pump. I put a paper towel under the pulley and it gets wet. I just hope is not the front cover gasket as well. I'd hate to do the job more than once. I can't believe its soo hard to tell if the pump is bad.

Thanks guys,

Rob

KY98LS1

So, 1994's use the old green stuff or Dexcool?
Just bought a '94 V6 and the coolant/water looks like brown pond water.
I can't tell what type of antifreeze was used by the previous owner.
Thanks

transamtom

If its brown pond water,its Dex-Cool.

Do a complete system flush and convert to the green traditional stuff.

The Dexcool has been known to clog rads,thermostats, ect.

MustangEater82

its not that bad....


ad $126 for a new pump!?!?!?!?


I think I paid $30 for one on my 2.8L and its the same thing.

be careful though I did break a bolt, was able to get it out with vicegrips later.

jtblckmaro

Hope you got it fixed, but if not...
I just had to change my pump out this weekend, but wasn't that hard. I ended up taking out all 3 coil packs and the control module just cuz i'm paranoid about electronics. After that, remove the WP pulley, the belt, 3 bolts and 3 nuts on the PS Pump bracket then slide it outboard (towards the driver's side) and that'll let you get to the bolts under it, you only need a couple of inches. While mine was out, i put the water hose in the radiator, flushed it, then put the hose in the inlet / outlet holes in the cavity and flushed it until it ran clear. Took a while to service back up though, run / check / run / check... Good luck, and hope this helped!