one of the guides i've found says i need to remove the fans when taking off the waterpump. another guide i found doesn't seem to state anything about removing the fan...so do i?...or don't i?

 

You can do it either way. There is more room with them off, but I remember doing mine with the fans in.

 

Its not a problem with the fans in.

 

They must be way better with tools than me.
I took the fans out and seemed like just barely enough room before I start to get pissed off.
Side note: if you take them out, it was a hell of a lot easier with the lower radiator hose off. First just to get out, second so you don't cut it up trying to get the fans out. BTW I took the fans out from the bottom.

 

I took my fans off when I did my WP last year. I seem to remember having to wrestle them back in. I can't recall if it was absolutley necessary to remove them. You might gain some room when working from the top. There is a ton of room from the bottom.

 

thanks guys.
if there are anyother tips let me know. This is a slow process for me, I'm working on it in between breaks from homework.
so far i've got the hoses all disconnected and the electrical plugs. i think the next thing i have to do is remove the coil mount...?
i really don't know what i'm doing, this is another learning experience!

 

you know that you need to drain the coolant from the block first right

 

doh!...so that's why i can't pull a hose off without spraying coolant in my face!!!

...lol yeah i remembered to drain the coolant...well actually i didn't drain the block. i read that you could do it with or without the block drained.
if i'm wrong, somebody correct me.
thanks white97T/A

 

If you don't drain the block you are going to get a good amount of water rush out when you break the seal on the water pump.
Cover the opti in plastic or something too.

 

Just take out the lower bolts on the waterpump first this way it will drain through them. Try to protect the opti the best you can. Either way it's going to make a good mess.