Water Pump

Ok, when changing the water pump on the '93 1.8, do you just remove the timing cover and tire and take it out from the wheel well or can you do it from up top. Cant seem to find my book right now...

You will need to remove the tire to get the clearance that you need to do the work. I think you would have a heck of a time with if if you just tried to go through the top.

If the 1.8 is like the 1.9 you will have to remove an engine mount to get the timing cover off.

Out of curiosity, how do you know the pump is bad?

Remove the tire and the splash shields on the passenger side. Everything is done from the side except the top water pump bolt which is easier to remove from the top.

I know the water pump is bad because when I brought it to a shop to have the alternator replaced about 2 weeks ago, I helped the mechanic out since I know him and had done some internship at his other shop, and we had coolant dripping on us the whole time. The coolant is coming from the pump, and you can also hear the bearing grinding when the motor is running. how many bolts are on the timing cover? I plan on doing that this weekend depending on the weather, and if a friend of mine gets back from the cities soon. I will also be checking out the clutch at the same time. couldnt do that last weekend and I am busier than crap latley...

Yep, def sounds like a pump problem.
I believe there are only two nuts securing the timing cover, however the engine mount is usually in the way and you can't pull it out without removing the mount or breaking the timing cover. Support the engine under the oil pan and unbolt the mount to get it all taken apart.

Ok, so this is going to take a lot longer than I thought, definitly waiting till sunday at the earliest then. Also, is there anything else that has to be taken off? I had to remove a lot of stuff when I did it on my cavalier and it was a pain in the butt to do. But with the motor mount, this already sounds like a pain in the butt.

The mount really is not that big of a deal. Just support the engine from underneath in a way that won't damage the pan. A jack with a block of wood on it does fine... just jack it up until you see that it lifts a little pressure off the engine and you are ready to go.

Obviously you will be draining the coolant too. Other than that, removing the timing cover, timing belt, tire and splash shield is all you have to mess with. It shouldn't take more than a couple hours if you are prepared and have all the tools handy. The water pump comes right out once you get to it. Just make sure you get a good seal on it.

I was also gonna ask, do I have to take out the timing belt? From what I understand its the tensioner that the pump is connected to, I really dont want to mess up the timing. Is it 2 belts or how does the timing work on this?

You will need to get the belt out of the way in order to remove the water pump. You are also going to have to get in there to clean up the surface before replacing a gasket, and there isn't a lot of room to work with to begin with.
The water pump will not effect your timing though... just don't turn the engine at all and you should be able to put everything right back where it was. You can probably just pull the belt out of the way enough to do the work and not actually remove it completely.

I was told the water pump is connected to the timing tensioner, so i was just wondering about that. Does the belt go all theway down to the crank, or what exactly? Otherwise as long as I keep enough tension and dont turn the motor, ill be fine with the timing?

Well I am going from memory on the 1.9 engine. I would have to look at the diagram of the 1.8 to say anything for certain... but I am pretty confident that the belt will have to get moved out of the way no matter what. It really isn't a big deal and shouldn't be any extra trouble... just don't rotate the engine while it is off.

Well, I just went out and bought a book today since i cant find my other one, but it says you have to remove the belt, I think ill see how it is after I remove the timing cover. but is one of the bolts for the pump connected to the tensioner? Need to get this replaced asap, cuz the bearing is getting louder and louder, dont need that to go and blow the engine, thats the last thing I need right now...Id rather go through the crap i just went through with my gf (really big trust issue) than have another car crap out on me again...

Again.... removing the belt is not that big of a deal. Just be careful not to turn the engine and you can slip the belt right back on when you are done.

I don't think the tensioner is connected to the water pump in any way.

Timing belt did have to come off to do the water pump, the tensioners were right on the pump so the belt ran right in front of it.

Yea i suggest u take it in to a mechanic, cuz i know its alot of work and time to do wat you are asking, but if u feel comfortable doing it..its cool go right ahead..

Its already done, and the vehicle has been decomisioned as of last friday...so i lost a grand in parts