How To Replace Your Car’s Water Pump
When you drive, your vehicle’s engine heats up. It can withstand a certain level of heat, but if the temperatures rise too high, the engine can become damaged. Your car has a cooling system to help make sure that doesn’t happen. The water pump is an important part of that system. It circulates coolant throughout your radiator and engine, and keeps the heat down. Unfortunately, like any of your car’s parts, it can fail. When it does, it cannot effectively manage the high temperatures that build around your engine.
In this article, I’ll explain how to replace your vehicle’s water pump. If working on your car is new for you, this particular job is best left to a mechanic. It’s not difficult, but it can take a few hours and require a bit of experience.
The Preliminary Work
Before you replace it, you’ll need to drain the cooling system and get rid of the residual coolant. Get a large oil pan and place it under the engine to let the fluid drain. Next, take the drive belt off (you might need to remove the alternator). In order to gain access to the part, you may also need to take the pulley off.
Finally, take off the hoses which connect to the water pump. Keep in mind that hoses can deteriorate quickly. Since you’re removing them, now is a good opportunity to replace them. It is inexpensive and you are removing them anyway.
The Main Job
You’ll likely notice between six and eight bolts that are connecting the component to your car’s engine. In most cases, the bolts will be in two different sizes (automakers like to make these jobs tougher than they need to be). Several different wrenchs or a socket wrench set will be needed to remove the bolts.
Be aware of which bolts secure the parts before removing them. Then, once you have removed them, slip the water pump off the engine. Once it’s off, replace the gasket. You may want to use a little sealer to ensure that it bonds well. Next, install the new water pump and make sure that it aligns properly with the new gasket.
Screw each of the bolts in by hand before tightening them down with the wrenches. This way you make sure it is evnely tightened for a secure fit. Re-Connect the hoses you dismantled and replace any parts.e. alternator) that you needed to remove to gain access. Once everything is put back together properly, add new coolant to the cooling system.
Start your car and let it idle for a few minutes to allow the temperature to rise. Also, look underneath the body to make sure there are no leaks. Finally, drive your vehicle for ten minutes and check for any signs of overheating.
Replacing your water pump is not a quick job. As noted, I recommend that most people ask their auto technician to handle it. That said, with a little patience, a few tools, and some experience, you can perform the job yourself.
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