replacing 95 cav 2.2 l ohv water pump

[billyboy128]

I read the post on removing the serpentine belt, Im wondering if i could use a 3.8 drive breaking bar with a 15 mm short socket to release the idler pulley to remove the belt tension, to take of the belt? Or is it better to do it another way?

2 . On the water pump does the pulley have to be pressed off , or does it just unblot from the pump?

I'd appreceate any advice, its the first time Ive tried removing the belt or the pump on this car.

[TEXAS-HOTROD]

I could be wrong, but I think it runs off of the timing belt. I'd have to check my sevice book to be sure. I know the older Cav 2.2 does.
The old 2.0 uses a fan belt and the 2.3 runs off the timing chain.

I can check my book and post back if you like.

If you have issues w/the fan belt, tackeling a water pump might not be a good idea. It can get pretty messy too.

[mustang2422]

I replaced my pump on my 97 2.2 sunfire so Im sure there the same. Its not driven by the timing belt (at least on my motor its not). There are 3 bolts that hold the pulley on the pump. Brake the 3 bolts loose first before you remove the belt. Make sure you draw a belt diagram or most have one on the hood. You can spend a long time trying to get the belt back on if you dont. Use a long braker bar with short socket to move the tensoner and remove belt. Then remove pulley. If I rember right there are 4 bolts holding the pump on. Good luck

[billyboy128]

thanks for the info Mustang , there are 4 bolts that do hold the pump to the housing. I needed the advice about removing the pully from the pump, I wasnt sure if it had to be pressed of or bolts held it on. Im glad i can just removeit but taking out the bolts. I have a diagram of the belt routng on the hood for routing the serpentine belt.

I appreciate your advise, it'll be a big help. All the Haynes manual says is to take the pully off , but doesnt say how !

[billyboy128]

Alright I got the belt , pulley and the pump off of the car. Looks like Im gonna have to move the alternator to get the new pump in. It was a real pain trying to get the old one out, with all the hoses,brackets and pipes.

I really appreciate your help. I hope that what was causing the leak. I cant seem to find the drain cock on the radiator . The old pump spins pretty easy compaired to the new one, and the shaft bearing is about half the size of the old one.

Again I really thank you guys!!!

[TEXAS-HOTROD]

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. It didn't hit me until I looked in the service book, it's the same engine used in the S10. I've done many S10s, but Cavs are scarce around here.

Good to hear you got it off. Can you see any signs of discoloration around the little breather hole (holes?)? If the weather turned cooler where you live in the last few weeks, it's a good chance it was coming from the pump. For some reason the first cold snap makes for leaky water pumps and heater cores.

Whatever is in the way will have to be moved. It seems like if it came out, it should go back in. I recall on one car I had to pry against the engine and the body to flex the motor mounts over, to get a water pump back in. I can't remember what car that was on though. Just make sure you clean all the sealing surfaces the best that you can. The cleaner ,the better.

New pumps have a stiff feel to them because of the new seals/bearings. Do you plan on flushing out the old antifreeze? Sometimes it's easier to remove the bottom hose from the radiator than to fiddle w/the drain valve.
Remember one thing: When you get everything back together/before you install the fan belt, fill the system w/coolant and spin the water pump pulley. If you bought a "cheap" rebuilt pump, it'll help prelube the main seal, and less chance of it leaking prematurely.

Glad to hear you're doing ok.

[billyboy128]

I bought a new water pump at Advance, with a lifetime warranty, for about 25 bucks, Tex. I havent installed the new on yet , goin to do it in the morning. Hopefully I'll have a easier time getting it back on than getting it out. I dont know if im going to flush the system yet. I have to work outside for now and the weather is starting to turn bad.

This is my sisters car. She called a chevy dealer, they wanted $300.00 to put in a new pump! That's outrageous!!!

I appreciate your input Tex. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

[gerkea]

You want to hear outrageous? I took my fiancés 96 cavalier to get a water pump changed and they hit me for $400! They wanted to do more work on the car (that I feel comfortable enough to do) and I told them to get out from under the car! I’m never going back to that place.



Even after the fact I don't think I would have been able to change it in good ole Milwaukee 10 degree weather. My garage and shop is the street. I'll be changing the serpentine belt there tomorrow. Wish me luck!