How do you change a water pump on Chevy lumina 1996 3100 engine?

Answer 1

Haynes Repair Manual covering 1995-2001 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo, and Impala (FWD) page 3-5 states....WATER PUMP REMOVAL... 1. Disconnect negative battery cable (CAUTION: on models with Theftlock audio system, be sure the lockout feature is turned off before disconnecting the battery). 2. Drain the antifreeze. 3. Loosen the water pump pulley bolts by using belt tension and a prybar to hold it still. 4. Remove the serpentine belt. On 3.1 L/3.4 L OHV engines, remove the small belt guard just above the water pump. 5. Remove the bolts/nuts and remove the water pump from the engine. WATER PUMP INSTALLATION... 1. Clean bolts, and other areas very well. 2. Make sure the old pump and the new pump are exactly the same (Note how the old one is located on the engine). 3.Clean the engine and water pump attaching surface with lacquer thinner or acetone. 4. Carefully attach the pump and gasket to the engine and tighten the bolts/nuts finger tight. 5. Carefully tighten the bolts/nuts to correct torque specs. 6. Reinstall other things you had to remove for access. 7. Refill the radiator. 8. Run the engine and check for leaks. I just did this and would add just a couple of minor things. You may well need more than belt tension and a pry bar to hold the pulley in place to remove the bolts. That didn't work for me. The pulley spun anyway. I used a box end wrench on one of the other bolts to hold the pulley in place while I loosened the remaining bolts. That worked until I got to the last one of course. Then I had some longer bolts with the same threading that I screwed in and held a pry bar against those to get the last one. I found that the pump would only go on one way. Unfortunately mine fell out before I was ready so I didn't know which way it had gone. But if you don't have it just right all the holes will not line up. Four of the five might but they that last one won't until you have it right. This was actually one of the easier repairs I've done. I'm not a very experienced mechanic and was freaked at first when I thought I'd have to take off the whole thing. I was relieved to find out you don't have to remove the housing. Just get the pulley off, remove five bolts and that's it.