replacing water pump

[mayur]

well, this is my first post and i'm asking for help
my water pump is pouring out coolant (skipped the dripping stage and just shoots it out) so I'm going to change it out..
I was just wondering if anyone has done this, how long can i expect this will take? keep in mind i'm just a regular guy working with a shop manual!
also, since the serpentine belt needs to be removed, is there anything I need to know about removing/replacing it.. like aligning things when removing a timing belt
thanks for any help or suggestions!

[trlinde]

Had to mess with the belt when I did my alternator, just watch your fingers, it's a heck of a spring. If the water pump is anything like the alternator, it's a tight fit.

[mayur]

yeah, I actually did this over the weekend (successfully) and I didn't have the right size wrench for the tensioner and ended up using an adjustable wrench... big mistake... it slipped off and my hand whacked against something and left some nice marks on me

[rpweaver]

I just did this on my 92 SL2 (300k miles). It took a weekend. Saturn wanted $330. Napa wanted $36, no core. I chose NAPA. I guess Saturn pulls the engine. Access through the wheel well after removing the splash cover. The pulley is hard to remove if the bolts are tight. Can't access all the mounting bolts without removing the pulley. I lowered the engine by releasing the upper engine mount. Then I could access one pulley bolt with a 3/8 socket and extension. I used an air impact wrench but destroyed one bolt head. I drilled it out/off, after that the rest of bolt came out easily. Then I had to buy new bolts, that's why it took two days. Even if you drain the radiator, you get almost a pint of coolant dumped on the ground if you don't catch it. No other problems. Good luck.