I was going to replace my water pump today just as a general overhaul to my cooling system before I go back to school (system flush, new tstat, new water pump). I followed the Haynes manual exactly... but the pump won't come off.

I double checked everything and made sure I didn't miss a bolt but the damn pump won't come off. The separation I get is between the water housing and the engine block and that's only on the right side (when facing the front of the car).

Right now I've just bolted it back up for the time being, the current pump isn't causing any problems... so I can leave it on there, but I've already got a new pump and would like to get my cooling system back up to almost new spec.

Has anyone run into this before? Any tips on how to get it off? Is there something the Haynes manual isn't telling me? I'm on a limited time schedule as I'm heading back to school soon. This is really frustrating

 

You did take the pulley off right? Theres a nut/bolt whatever under there.

 

I pulled off the AC pulley if that's what you mean.

I compared my gasket to the bolts I've pulled off and what not.... I'm 99.99999% I've got all the bolts off it.

 

No the water pump pulley.

 

Hmm... only pulley Hayne's manual said to remove was the AC pulley from the eccentric shaft.... did they leave something out?

 

Yes IIRC you need to remove the pump pulley

 

Hmm, well I removed the pulleys on the eccentric shaft, that's off. Manual says nothing about removing anything from the water pump itself (except the two adjustment brackets). I've gotten all the bolts off...

After some searching, the solution to this problem seems to be a few good hits with a hammer... lol. I think I'll give that a shot in the morning unless someone else can think of something.

 

Damn..I just took the belts off...fan off...and unbolted the pump and it came right off. Then I grinded off the existing gasket, being carefull not to go too far with the grinding....new rtv silicone sealant..new gasket...new pump...woked perfect.

 

Well... I couldn't wait. I went outside with a hammer and flashlight... and the pump is now off

So moral of the story, if something won't come off, grab a hammer

However... did I do any damage with that small seperation that occured btween the block and water housing? Is this an area that needs to be water tight? It obviously wasn't very tight before... but should I put some sealant around it anyways?

 

You should get yourself some cork gasket, take the whole housing off make the new gasket put on with sealant than reinstall the water pump.Think about it youd take 15 min to save 2 hours if you re-install and she leaks. Or be lazy and just put some sealant in there. But that gasket on there is almost 20 years old no?Just my opion.

 

Hmm, I'll look into it. How big of deal is it to pull off the housing?

 

you pretty much got it off if toy have the water pump off.

 

Hard part is getting that old gasket off and tracing a new one. No big deal.

 

What else would I need to unbolt to remove the housing? I flipped through my manual but didn't see anything about it.

 

Nothing but when you slide the housing off the studs there is two spacers or washer-shims on the two left studs dont loose them. Take the housing off halve way and push the spacers back you'll see them.