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Question re replacing water pump
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GatorInAtlanta
New User
May 26, 2010, 1:16 PM
Post #1 of 4
(1718 views)
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Question re replacing water pump
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Hello. I have a 1993 Buick LeSabre Custom with a 3.8 L V6. I am planning to replace the water pump and looked into the process in a Service manual and at the AutoZone website.
Both sources say to "Unfasten the water pump pulley bolts, (long bolt removed through access hole provided in the body side rail), then remove the pulley."
As far as I can see, there are only 4 bolts on the front of the pulley and that should be all that I need to remove. I have no idea what the reference to a "long bolt" means or what the "body side rail" is. Can anyone shed any light on this?
Thanks in advance for your help.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 26, 2010, 2:41 PM
Post #2 of 4
(1712 views)
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Re: Question re replacing water pump
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Ok: Start with a picture if it shows:
The pulley for the belt will come off with those bolts removed and would be short and then you'll see the pump with whatever bolts go thru all those holes in casting and also may/will go thru brackets for other items. Those wont be all the same length so if one can't come all the way out what you are saying is the body has made a provision to allow for that. Some you can remove plastic of inner fender and some not in assorted cars.
Do yourself a favor and mark the pump and first bolt out together and choose a clock wise or CC way to arrange them so there's less to worry about which one went where. The longer ones would be to go thru a timing cover to the engine block itself.
My non exactly specific instructions/suggestions are watch which items need be out of the way so you only see the pump much like shown. Some may take non pump related bracket bolts to be able to move them. If I recall some 3.8s in the vintage you couldn't totally remove the belt without undoing the motor mount. You can look and see that is or isn't an obstacle for the belt and can do the pump without replacing the belt but if not pretty new now a new one would be nice at the same time.
I'll guess by the looks of the pump four bolts will be the longer ones that will use the larger holes shown.
Go easy scraping gasket off of alloy timing cover as sharp scraper can damage it. Steel bolt into alloy may be sticky so do everything not to break them.
May not have clearance to totally remove the long ones but would (maybe) come out while still thru the pump holes and go back that way with new one.
Sure - a first time with one takes paying some attention and just how to wriggle around and thru whatever to get sockets on and bolts out. I don't think this is a nightmare job as some can be but a broken bolt is a nightmare so avoid that as said.
Do strongly suggest the few extra bucks for a new, not rebuilt pump,
T
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GatorInAtlanta
New User
May 30, 2010, 11:34 AM
Post #3 of 4
(1686 views)
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Re: Question re replacing water pump
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Thanks Mr. Greenleaf,
I got the job done yesterday. There wasn't any "long bolt" or "access hole" involved with removing the pulley, so I guess that was just a screw up in the shop manual. The big issue was that a motor mount is in the way on this engine, and had to be removed. This entailed raising the engine a little to get the mount out and get access to the water pump. Put in new pump, new belt, and new coolant. I took your advice and carefully marked all bolts to make sure everything went back in the right spot. All good - no leaks. Thanks for the input.
Rick McNealy
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 30, 2010, 2:50 PM
Post #4 of 4
(1675 views)
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Re: Question re replacing water pump
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Good for you and thanks for letting us and world know of the success.
There are frequently more than one good way to any job and can depend on what tools you have. Tilting an engine has been a trick or mandatory for many jobs.
Do keep checking coolant level for a few days as air hidden away will eventually purge out if any left now. It doesn't mean a failure if you find it a tad low after some cycles but eventually should stay put withing the hot and cold range shown for reservoir.
Good job,
T
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