Sunday, November 21, 2010

How to change a water pump?

I have a geo metro 93 lsi 3 cylander car. I need to change the water pump. also the timing belt but i dont have the manual. id ont know how tight the belt needs to be on, any helP?How to change a water pump?
I thought those cars came in 6 packs, and when one breaks you just crush it on your forehead like a beer can and pop a new one! LOL, No really I used to have a Sprint and the 3 banger was the same. The water pump is down usually behind the fan on the side of the motor, and roughly in the middle of the engine. It has a pulley on it and a belt that drives it. There will be an alternator, that has wires and lots of holes in it. Then you may have a pulley for the Air cond. if you have that. next is the power steering pump if you have it and that will have a place to fill it with fluid, so thats how you can tell what it is. Then the main fan belt on the big fan, and then should be a little pulley down in there that is sticking out of the engine. That should be your water pump. It will probably be in a tight place as they usually are. You will have to take all the components off that are in front of it to get to it. When you get all that stuff out of the way, the pump usually is just attached with a few bolts and a gasket. It may have to be forced off but dont use a screw driver or anything sharp to pry on it. I would hit the pulley end with a hammer lightly to knock it off. Use a good gasket remover and a rag over a piece of flat wood or hard plastic to clean it off. It is very important to have a totally clean surface on the motor to seal it to, or it will leak. I use denatured alcohol to clean the mating surfaces to remove any oils. It sounds like alot of attention to detail, but if you want to only do it once then it is worth it. Another thing is make sure you buy a high quality pump and have it tested if they can before you put it on. Dont ever buy a pump that has a ';lifetime replacement warranty'; because they know that if it doesnt work, they just give you another crappy one. You have to do all the work again and see it that one works. When you put it all together, try to resist using too much sealant. make sure you use a high temp good quality sealer and gasket. A light skin is all you need of the sealer on both the engine and new pump. Put the gasket on the pump and bolt it back, I usually give it over night to cure before I put fluid in and fire it up. I have had good luck with that combo.

As for the Timing belt, that is a little more involved and you have to take the side of the motor apart. It is not a job for amateurs as there are many parts to line up just right when you put the new belt on and if you mess it up your engine could be damaged when you crank it. It has to do with the timing of the engine and the top of the motor. With a manual and a friend that knows a bit about cars you should be able to do it. Good luck!How to change a water pump?
Best bet is the library for a book. Geo and Suzuki share a lot of engineering and probably are the same in your case. Timing belt is tricky..no slack but don't over tighten

Is this the same car with injector problem? If so check the head gasket by doing a compression test, I think it's gone out on you from over heat. good luck
Timing belt has a tension-er and If you have never done this before, without supervision, I don't recommend it. When you go to start your engine, coolant will be everywhere period

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