My water pump is starting to leak. The shops are quoting $250- $300 to replace but I can buy a water pump at the auto parts store and install myself for less than $100 but I don't know what all is involved with this repair or if I should try (my only experience with car repair up to now is recently replacing the alternator). If anyone has done this please let me know what you think. thanks
It's a rear wheel drive car with the water pump mounted on the front of the engine toward the radiator. So if you go to the library any read the chiltons or motors manual procedures on how to replace the water pump, you probably have to remove the radiator fan blade assembly to get at the water pump. Some fan belts will also have to be removed. You can end up doing the job twice if the new water pump gasket doesn't seal properly due to antifreeze leaking out of the engine block while your installing the new gasket and sealer. Park the car with the engine facing up a hill to prevent that. I'd have it done at a shop. It's worth paying a shop unless you really want to get into major repairs.
if you have the right tools it not to hard make sure the old gasket is clean off the engine before installing the new pump use a light coat of gasket sealer with it
you can make it even easier by purchasing a hayne's manual for your car when you buy the water pump. you will need it anyway so you can have the proper torque specs and sequence when reinstalling the new water pump. so if you don't have a torque wrench you will need to rent one. the first step of course will be to drain your cooling system. then use masking tape and a sharpie to number any connectors or hoses you have to remove to access the water pump. once the old one is off make sure to clean every trace of gasket material from the mating flange. then when you are ready to reinstall put a thin coat (use you fingers to spread)of rtv silicone to each side of the new gasket this will help hold in place. then here's where you will need the book insert the bolts and tighten them in sequence shown to the proper torque unless you want to chance cracking the new pump housing. on a car this old if it has not already been done now would be a good time to replace hoses (esp. if they are soft) and your thermostat since you've already got the cooling system drained. once everything is reassembled start the engine and begin pouring in the new coolant, if there are any bleed screws open these it's very important to get all the air out of the system if there are no bleed screws you can leave the cap off the radiator or expansion tank (you'll need to anyway) since one you think its filled when the thermostat opens its all gonna drain down and you'll have to top it off again. here is a good time to pay attention as it approaches normal operating temp be ready to start pouring as soon as the level starts to drop that will help keep more air from getting in. any questions feel free to e-mail me
