Water Pump Access

[sweetgyy]

my water pump went on my car grrr it appears! it never ends. I'll have to change that serpentine belt too or what the heck they call it cause it's cracked all over .

[Critic764]

how did you get one tire on the ramp and one on the jack stand?

[richpin06a]

@Critic764 I drive the vehicle on the ramps then jack up and remove a tire.

[rgrafton]

people are telling me the noise i'm getting is my water pump but i don't think it is... what would this sound like if it was bad/going bad

[BigAgitator]

Easier than my Camry. I had to pull the timing belt to do that one... belt needed replacement anyway but the moral of the story is that the pump is BURIED.

I am going to be doing one of these saturns next week. Thank you for the helpful video briefing!

[anthonym612]

Nice job on this video Rich. I feel like I have a decent idea of this procedure, as I'm trying it tonight. You're a great teacher!

[omarG19100]

@richpin06a ok thanks man.

[omarG19100]

@richpi06a hey im bout to change the belt but it looks like theres more than one size. mab im wrong. i have the 98 sl1(sohc). is it just one size no matter the brand?

[richpin06a]

@omarG19100 The belts are different between SOHC and DOHC

[norbsiec]

richpin... i removed the bolts that keep my pulley on top of the water pump but it seems that there is not enough space to remove the pulley without taking more parts out of the engine... i have a 1995 saturn sl... what do you recommend

[richpin06a]

@norbsiec I have heard some say this but i have never had a problem removing the pulley.You can try removing the top engine mount and lowering the engine for clearance.

[lauratwo16]

Richpin you are a SAINT and I want whatever you take that keeps you so calm!

Thanks for all your helpful videos!

LauraUSA

[richpin06a]

@lauratwo16 Thank you i think calmness comes with age and boy do i have age.....lol

[truckco155]

Just did a water pump..I had an impact gun . just no swivle extension..so here is my clever way.. i used vicegrips to hold the pully while i used a 10mm wrench and some elbow grease. worked very well.. also used it to put the pully back on...great video btw..thanks

[lauratwo16]

@truckco155 Great tip...just gotta be sure not to bend the pulley. I wanna drop a TURD on the Saturn designer's desk who designed-in such hideous access. And why are the pulley bolts so damn seized...how about 1 cents worth of anti-seize applied at the factory if you give me such weird access! Don't those chassis and engine designers ever put down the mouse get together and pick up a wrench? Put me in charge of engineering @ GM and i will CLEAN HOUSE to bring out intelligently designed products

[justinkm7122]

@lauratwo16 maybe just another reason nobody bought Saturn, and they are a dead company.....

[RobertGary1]

I just completed this job. My pulley bolts were pretty tough to get off, even with an impact and a wobble. I ended up removing the upper engine mount and alternatively fully raising and lowering the engine to gain access to the different parts of the pump. I ended up grinding out one of the pulley bolts. Hopefully this is a once-in-a-lifetime repair per vehicle. :)

[jsphgruber]

Thank you so much.

I have recently thought of using a dremel tool with a cutting wheel to grind the bolt heads off...renting an air chisel would work too...

[jsphgruber]

Richpin you are the man

[richpin06a]

@jsphgruber I just though of something that might be worth trying first.If you are careful you might be able to use a air chisel to free up the bolts.

[jsphgruber]

Richpin you are amazing, your vidoes previously have saved me thousands of dollars.

I stripped the bolts on the pulley...thought about screw extracting but do not think there is enough clearance. Would you recommending boring the hub off? Suggestions?

Thanks you rock

[richpin06a]

@jsphgruber Maybe a sawall with a metal blade would do it.

[nailya75]

Hi!

Thank you so much for the answer! I am very new in repairing. What kind of manual would you advise for me to purchase since I don't have any.

Thank you again for taking the time for answering my questions.

[richpin06a]

@nailya75 If you are as lucky as i am an live near a big city you can go to your local library were they have haynes repair manuals.

[nailya75]

Hi!

I have Saturn 98 SL 2. Do you think I can do it myself like you are showing in this video. Somebody told me if it is driven by timing belt it would be difficult.

Thank you.

[richpin06a]

@nailya75 Your 98 sl water pump is not driven by the timing belt and as far as water pump replaces go it is not that differcult .

[gladiamnotyou]

?? How do you remove the belt ??

[richpin06a]

@gladiamnotyou Rotate the tensioner to release tension on the belt then remove the belt.

[gladiamnotyou]

@richpin06a Great. I saw your other video on it and it was easy. Thanks so much. I am working on my sons Saturn and you have helped us out a lot.

[fdb16]

Can I just use a screwdriver as opposed to buying a panel remover? I dont see myself using this tool all that often.

[richpin06a]

@fdb16 Yes you can.

[JGorman1]

If i'd known of these saturn repair videos before, Id still own mine. Geat Cars

[JGorman1]

JGorman1 GREAT CARS

[richpin06a]

@JGorman1 It is not to late to get another one.

[missouritiger09]

Oh man, my pump was leaking all sorts of coolant. Must be a really bad gasket.... thanks for the help richpin, this looks easier then the job in my silverado

[ActionFigureWorld]

richpin i just did my water pump thanks for your advice !

[sunsweetsuitable]

thanks man it seriously helped me out alot !! now to just get thos 2 bolts on the top of it off........

[ActionFigureWorld]

hey richpin what is the size of tool for the scews ?

[richpin06a]

The water pump is held on by 10mm headed bolts.

[koreanbattosai]

I have a question, does this can be done on a 98 Saturn SL2?? i mean like in the same way that your teaching on the video...? or do i need to do it in another way...?

[richpin06a]

Yes all s-series are done the same way.

[generatrix999]

The actual pump is pretty much self explanatory- Six 10 mm bolts in a confined area, two are a bitch. Watching the 'Water Pump Pulley Removal w/o impact tool's' will help.

I admit the pulley is a piece of cake compared to removing the pump though.

[RandallFlaggNY]

You didn't finish the video, Rich. Removing the pump, cleaning the mating surfaces (Very Important!!!) , gasket and/or sealant on those newly clean surfaces etc....

[richpin06a]

Some day i will do a R&R video on the water pump.

[Dewydidit]

Thank you, clear concise video giving me the information I needed to get the job done.

[brandontedrow]

TY so much for having this video up, "RichPin"! This has told me where the pump is, how to get to it, and how to replace it. It also tells me that I DON'T have the tools to do this job! heh heh

I wish there were more DIY videos like this with this amount of visual clarity...

[lukelucky09]

I wanted to ask you if it is possible to replace the timing belt while the engine is in car. Also i was wondering if the SOHC could be swaped for the DOHC, and if motor mounts would match. Thanks for all your help.

[richpin06a]

There is no timing belt on this engine and yes you can swap and the mounts will match.

[lilkrusher20]

could it be that the original comment was meant to say timing "chain" instead of belt?

[errrdrr43]

I just wanted too thank you for the information it helped out enormously . Thanks again!!!

[mtnbkr416]

Love your videos. Can't tell you how much you've helped me.

You're the MAN!

[utubefanatic111111]

are you using a non-impact xtension and socket ?? I only have a non-impact wobble and 10mm socket - will this work for me ? thanks

[richpin06a]

Yes i am.Just wear your safety glasses.

[foxie4u24]

This is the best video I have ever seen to change the water pump on a saturn, thank you bunches, God bless!

[iamspecial120]

Many thanks for posting this and your other videos.

[YesOuiSi]

A Trainload of Thank You's for this video... You helped me save several hundred dollars.... I kept trying to get to the pump from the bottom of the car or from the top.... I never thought to pull the tire and the splash panel ... thank you again!!!!

[richpin06a]

yes you can

[RC60618]

You can also use a strap wrench to hold the pulley, then loosen the bolts with long wrench/ or ratchet

[zabarr101]

I tried it with the belt still on, but the pulley just spun with my wrench. How do I stop that from happening?

[richpin06a]

If you don't have a impact wrench you can try striking the wrench with a hammer that is on the bolt.This acts like a impact wrench.

[openeyes1984]

It's easier to remove the bolts from the pulley if you loosen them while the belt is still on.

[richpin06a]

Good tip for the people that do not have the use of a impact wrench.

[AUTOMOTA]

Thanks for posting this.