Water Pump Replacement

[056bluebeater]

On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being most difficult), how would you rate this DIY project? I was going to change my serpentine belt last night but noticed my water pump is slowly leaking. I've been adding a little bit of antifreeze from time to time. Are there any special tools I would need? How does the pulley attach to the pump, with an allen screw or similar? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

[hardtopte72]

If you have a hard time with work in tight spaces I would say this job is a 6-7. If not it is really easy. Drain coolant, Disconnect battery, remove serpentine belt, remove alternator, remove the 7 or so water pump bolts. Installation is reverse of removal. I forgot if these water pumps have a gasket or take FIPG.

[056bluebeater]

Thanks for the reply. Your response all sounds logical except for the alternator part. It seems like the easiest way to access the pump is from beneath the car (right above the oil sump) in which case I don't understand why I would need to remove the alternator. It will be a pain laying on the ground beneath the car but it seems much better than trying to access this from the top.

[saskrider]

try this, hope you can see it

http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/...ump-toyota.gif

http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/...mp2-toyota.gif

[hardtopte72]

Originally Posted by saskrider

try this, hope you can see it

http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/...ump-toyota.gif

http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/...mp2-toyota.gif

I have done a few water pumps already so I know the process. And you literally just showed me the exact same thing I told you with removing the alternator.

There is no way to remove the top bolts of the pump without removing the alternator as they sit behind the alternator. Not just that but it is way to much to try and get it from under in such a cramped space already. Plus there are literally 3 nuts/bolts and one connector to remove the alternator and then the whole water pump is pretty much open from the top.

Hope this helps.

[shoujiliuzhijun]

I did the job from the top, and even without removing the alternator on my 2003 1ZZ engine. The pump can just be out from the AC and alternator pulley.
For the six bolts, You need 10mm deep sockets of the proper length. Too long there's not enough space, and too short your ratchet will collide the pump before it reaches the bolt head. The 1/4 and 3/8 ones from Sears worked for me.

Originally Posted by 056bluebeater

Thanks for the reply. Your response all sounds logical except for the alternator part. It seems like the easiest way to access the pump is from beneath the car (right above the oil sump) in which case I don't understand why I would need to remove the alternator. It will be a pain laying on the ground beneath the car but it seems much better than trying to access this from the top.

[Bomix]

Originally Posted by 056bluebeater

On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being most difficult), how would you rate this DIY project? I was going to change my serpentine belt last night but noticed my water pump is slowly leaking. I've been adding a little bit of antifreeze from time to time. Are there any special tools I would need? How does the pulley attach to the pump, with an allen screw or similar? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

I am considering doing a water pump replacement on my 03 with 180k miles. But was wondering what symptoms your getting that you want to replace your water pump?

[XKWISIT1]

These waterpumps are real easy to do. It takes about 20 minutes to take it off and install the new one. Once the serp belt has been removed than the bolts are easy to get at with 1/4 10mm socket on an extension. Note that 2 of the bolts are longer than the others. I have replaced well over 300 of these pumps at the dealership.