Water Pump Replacement....any tips or suggestions?

[AWeb80]

I think I finally determinded why my 3100 is sucking coolant....well, not sucking, but my resovoir is getting really low....

 

I think my WP is leaking....slowly....and it is making a slight whine noise...so i'm gonna replace it along w/ the coolant.

 

Any tips, tricks, or advice on putting a new one in?

 

Thanks in advance.

[DaveFromColorado]

when putting the new water pump on - make sure to put some RTV on the water pump bolts. These bolts to do into the water jacket, and without the RTV on them, they could end up leaking.

 

I ended up re-replacing my water pump because of this issue.

 

--Dave.

[5speedz34]

Adam, Adam, Adam...this is why we have a FAQ section.......http://www.w-body.com/forum/index.php/topic,31615.0.html

 

It's pretty much the same for all 60* motors.

[AWeb80]

Thanks Tony....I've seen that, but just wondered if anyone had any personal input w/ suggestions or problems they had....

[THe_DeTAiL3R]

It's a damn easy job. One of the first things that broke on my car

 

The only "special" thing I did was put blue RTV on both sides of the gasket and on the bolts, sealed it up good.

[manitcor]

baleted

[Bossman429]

If it comes with a paperish/fiber gasket, get the gasket wet first. This is actually true for all paper gaskets, I have seen them leak when not wetted down. Some instructions for the gaskets include this step. I usually just dunk it in antifreeze.

 

I don't use much RTV on gasket jobs anymore, people often glob it on there thinking they are doing good. The only need for RTV should be to hold the gasket onto the waterpump when installing, I use a couple dots on there to hold it on. No need for any more than that.

 

The RTV on the bolts is a good use for the RTV though, I've never done it before, but may try on my next round.

[R Dubya]

better make sure it's not seeping out of the intakes as well, as one leak tends to take away attention from another. Intakes are real common on those later 3100's, worth a look to make sure you aren't healing a gunshot wound with gauze.

 

W/p replacement on the 3.1 was a cake walk, just make sure to bleed the system properly afterwards to avoid problems. Good luck.

[AWeb80]

well, i don't think my WP is leaking now.....i think I just had some hoses leak from sitting in the cold for a month w/o running....

 

I did change the coolant out yesterday and no leaking so far.....

[Bossman429]

Those worm gear clamps used on coolant hoses loosen up quite often. I actually end up checking and tightening several of them about once every 6 months.

[AWeb80]

I kinda figured it was the hoses and clamps around the bleeder screw atop the WP. I checked them and tightened them.

[GIANT MOTH]

Can an electric water pump replace the OEM on the 3100's?