Replacing Water Pump

My 2001 Venture has suddenly started using antifreeze and I can smell it when I stop. I got to looking around with a flashlight and I can see antifreeze behind the water pump pulley so I'm thinking that it is probably leaking through the weep hole.

How hard is the water pump to replace?

(FWIW, I had the IMG and head gasket replaced late last year so I'm fairly certain that it's not that.)

Hey Phipps,

I haven't actually replace the water pump on my 2001, however when I did my IMG I was looking at the water pump and thought it would be very easy to replace if it was ever necessary. The pump is in the front at the top so I think all that needs to happen is drain the coolant, pull the serpentine belt, remove the pulley, remove the pump, clean the gasket and re-assemble. Everything is pretty accessable, the hardest thing to get at is the belt tensioner but even that isn't terrible. I looked on GMPartdirect.com and the pump is $45 which seems like a lot for how small it is. You might be able to get a better deal if you shop around.

Good Luck,

Sparky

I just changed the AC compressor on my 99 and thought the same thing when looking at the water pump. So far so good on my water pump but when the time comes it looks fairly simple for Venture standards.

I replaced the water pump on my 99 Montana and it was the easiest water pump to date. Hardest part is to get the pully off, I used a long screwdrive stuck in between to bolt heads to keep them from moving when breaking them loose (Haynes manual has pics of this little trick). I bought a new, not rebuilt, ASC brand water pump (Part Number: WP625) at Advanced Auto for under $25. It had over 150,000 miles on it, so that is a recordbreaker for me, usually I've had them start weeping between 75,000 and 140,000 miles. Took 30-45 minutes start to finish, which is pretty good for me.

I replaced the water pump on my 2000 Venture and it is very easy. Just drain the coolant, pull the belt & pulley. Under the pulley there are five bolts to remove the impeller assembly. The housing stays. The pump cost under $25 for a new one. I did the job in about 30 minutes.

i know i'm digging up an old thread... however i have to replace my water pump as its leaking like a siv!! what did you guys use to fill with? on a scale from 1-5 1 being easy and 5 a real pain the the *** what would you rate it? also if someone could write out some steps, or is it best to just pick up a haynes manual???