water pump replacement-won't budge

me again...
Everything I've read on the posts says the water pump should just twist clockwise to release.
However, mine isn't budging AT ALL.
I have a water pump wrench (cheapo Lisle model), but it wants to slide off the flanges.
I've kept it on long enough that I've been able to apply enough pressure that I think should have broken it loose by now.
Anyone else experience this? More success with another tool (brand?)?
Am I missing something?
Thanks to all.
Digby

I have a water pump wrench (cheapo Lisle model), but it wants to slide off the flanges.


Try the one made by Owatonna Tools.

http://www.otctools.com/newcatalog/detail.php3?id=214


___________________

GM!!! BRING BACK OLDS!!!


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-3/138085/sigau.jpg

If it's stubborn to remove, apply heat. A heat gun like you use to strip paint works best, be very careful if using a propane torch.

RD

I had the same experience. Everyone says how great the setup is. I thought it sucked compared to the old way of doing things. I bought the Lisle tool also and proceeded to bust the corners off the thing after much fighting. Had a shorter battle to get things to line up when installing it also.
I ended up basicly cutting it apart with a dremel tool using a 1/8" carbide bur. Kept a small magnet handy to clean out the shavings as I worked. It was a true pain in the ass.
Snap On also has a better tool from what I've heard, for something like $70.
I replaced all the hoses and water pump belt while I was there. Don't forget to put the Bars Leak Gold tablets in one of the hoses.
Good luck!

Thanks to all who've responded so far.
Looks like I'll be praying that the heat gun works, then an upgraded tool, otherwise it sounds like surgery unless someone else has had other means of success.
I did buy a new belt, but I have another post asking how to put it on...looks like a really tight squeeze around the bottom of the tensioner.
I'd appreciate some pointers on that procedure also from someone who's done it (Sweetwilliam?).
Thanks again to all.
Digby

That's a peice of cake. Remove the nuts that hold the gaurd for the pulley/belt on. Remove the gaurd. Then the studs that the nuts came off of are bolts that hold the tensioner assembly on. Remove it, drop in the new belt, done.

Thank you sir, I'll look at that ASAP...didn't want to make matters worse.
It'll probably be the weekend before I can do any work on this project.
Please keep the suggestions coming until then.
digby

I tried to take the water pump off with the special wrench, but I proceeded to break off some of the tabs. I took it to the Olds garage and they had to machine it out (whatever that means). Of course they blamed me for the damage, even though they would have done the same thing (at least that's what I told myself). Sometimes it pays to take it to a technician, even though I hate to.

My concern about breaking something was why I stopped banging on the end of my wratchet with a hammer...(Homer says DOHHHHH!)
I then extended the wratchet handle with a pipe to add leverage...no good...won't budge.
I'm really hoping the heat or another tool will work because this thing is dead in my driveway and won't make it to a mechanic on its own.
digby

I have heard that an impact wrench will bust it lose. I guess there is room in there with the air box gone.

When our waterpump was replaced at the dealership, they said the water crossover had to be removed because the pump wouldn't come out with the standard tool. The pump is mounted in the crossover casting.

When our waterpump was replaced at the dealership, they said the water crossover had to be removed because the pump wouldn't come out with the standard tool. The pump is mounted in the crossover casting.

That's correct, if applying heat doesn't help free up the pump the only alternative is to remove the crossover casting and work on it 'on the bench'.

RD

I looked at taking the crossover off mine, but that looked like a real drag to do. That's when I busted out the dremel tool. It took an hour or so to cut it off, but I "got er done".

NOOOooooo! I saw that crossover-looks like the engine would have to come out.
A coworker also suggested an impact wrench, but I don't have one.
I think I can get my hands on a heat gun tomorrow, but I don't know if I can get to try it until Saturday. If I can get a long enough cord for a light and the gun I'll try it.

The waterpump went on my 95, & from looking at these posts,there`s NO WAY i was gonna buy a special tool that still may not work, THEN have to fight with it! I took it to a local reputable shop & he changed it for me for $180 total & even replaced my thermostat that i had already bought.
SAVE YOURSELVES ALOT OF TROUBLE & JUST COME OFF THE $180 & let SOMEONE ELSE fight this monster.
It was fabulous, i didnt have to lift a finger.
:smile:

I did this same thing on my olds.... I was having troubles trying to get the tool to "bite in" on the pump flange... so with the help of a buddy I had him take a prybar, and get against a tranny bellhousing bolt with it... he then pryed in towards the water pump against the breaker bar I was using to turn the tool for the water pump then I busted my ass and turned the water pump free. Worked fabulous.

I found a local GM dealership that let me borrow the factory socket for removing/installing the water pump. We put a ton of pressure on the breaker bar and socket to remove the water pump and the socket never slipped at all. We also had to cut away pieces of and apply heat to the old water pump to break it free.

I switch mine out this summer and it didn't want to budge. I bought the $12 remover tool from Carquest etc! I took a breaker bar and a pipe to put over the breaker bar and pushed about 150 pounds of muscle and wham it finally broke loose ( I actually fell backwards as this item removed)! It was a bear and once it broke loose the Autozone water pump was on in about 20 minutes ! Good Luck!
Jeff

Well, thanks to all who wrote, but in the end it was SteVB who saw the mechanic coming down the road.
This post is a little long, but I hope it will help others.
The following were tried:
Heating (with a glue gun, no gas torch available), soaking with PB Break, cleaning the tabs with a dremel tool, buying a heavier tool, then wearing off the edges of the tabs with the heavier tool thus rendering both tools useless.
So then, I figured I could rotate the pump from the pulley side, where you can see just a sliver of a metal collar that's part of the locking flange...rotate that collar and you rotate the locking mechanism on the other side.
I drilled out the weephole on the top of that collar so I could insert the end of a screwdriver. I attached a chain to the screwdriver now poking out of the H2O pump axle, then wound the chain behind the axle like a yo-yo. I attached a pry bar to the free end of the chain and attempted to rotate the pump by prying it against the pully, creating a twisting force.
I thought I was going to pull the engine out of the car before something gave way...SUCCESS...no, my screwdriver bending 45 degrees.
Curse...Close the hood...call the mechanic...IT'S WELDED ONTO THE ENGINE.
I am both relieved and concerned that the mechanic tells me he's never heard of a special tool and that he's always had to "just tear the water pump apart" to remove it...hmmmm.
Anyway, I resolve myself to paying about a grand for "benchwork" and have the car towed to the shop.
The next day, the man calls to ask me what kind of antifreeze I use because the NEW PUMP IS IN.
Says he had to tear it apart with a crowbar and a hammer, as usual. However, he does like the Lisle tool (that I've left in the car) for the install.
I tell him he can have it for $10 off the bill.

H2O pump, belt, and serpentine belt...$106
2 special tools...$65
PB Break, drill bits, chain...$25
Bent screwdriver and my 1/2" drive ratchet wrench gone "missing" from driveway (plus nice pipe I was using as a breaker bar)...$30
Getting someone to hack out my old H2O pump (now 3 pieces in a cardboard box) then install the new one...$97
Having the Black Rocket up and running like a champeen for 2 weeks now...PRICELESS.
LET SOMEONE ELSE DO THIS JOB.
thanks to all again.
Digby

me again...
Everything I've read on the posts says the water pump should just twist clockwise to release.
However, mine isn't budging AT ALL.
I have a water pump wrench (cheapo Lisle model), but it wants to slide off the flanges.
I've kept it on long enough that I've been able to apply enough pressure that I think should have broken it loose by now.
Anyone else experience this? More success with another tool (brand?)?
Am I missing something?
Thanks to all.
Digby

:2cents:Tap it with a hammer!