water pump install

[chet1185]

So, I've been doing a lot of searching on this topic and I see mixed answers.

I've seen people say they did it without removing the timing belt and other say you can't. If it's possible to do it without removing the belt that would be awesome because I will not get into the job of the timing belt and whatever else needs done. There is no room and I have never done it before. It is a 1g in a 98 gst. Any suggestions or tips?

thanks in advance.

 

[Roberti 2G]

If you could do it with out taking the belt off itll get coolant all over you t belt and will degrade the belt. Im sure it can be done very carefully. I would not try it though. T belt job isnt that hard just very specific. Im about to do both my belt and pump this weeekend. Not my first time though.

 

[chet1185]

How hard is it to get to everything seeing as there's only a small amount of room there?

 

[black97spyder]

Its a very tight fit, it could be possible to remove the w/p with the timing belt on but I really wouldn't try it... just do your standard timing belt job and w/p replacement at the same time and mark that maintenance off your list. It would be much more recommended to do it that way

 

[chet1185]

the timing belt looks brand new. is it easier to get to the stuff than it looks?

 

[Roberti 2G]

yeah its pretty tight but with the tire out of the way and the engine mount it frees up SOME space. Just check out the youtube video and all the threads plus VFAQ write ups and youll be good.

 

[chet1185]

thsnks guys

 

[darknezz7]

after you have the driver side motor mount off you can raise and lower the engine some and that allows easier access during certain parts. You have to take everything off to get to water pump, just do the belt its an extra 20-30 bucks and then you will KNOW when it was done.

I just recently tried to change the water pump the on my friends with the belt still on because we just put a new belt and pump on but the pump started squealing so it was replaced under warranty. Its not worth it if even possible trust me.

 

[natenut]

i invented a few new swear words while i did my timing belt/water pump. Just be patient and when you are done you will have a whole new level of automotive expertise. It is tight quarters but just make sure you have some small extensions, a wobble head ratchet, a small allen wrench to pin the tensioner back down and the little tool to tighten the smiley face pulley. Its all documented in a few good howtos. In fact the original trainign videos for techs are on youtube:

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[boostneverlies]

I have done a few water pumps and with the engine in the car it's impossible. Get the jay racing timing belt kit or find the specials tools on ebay. Will make things easy since it's your first time.

 

[renovatdkitchen]

Coolant will get before, why would you want to do a water pump with the timing belt in?

The coolant will get all over the belt. I wouldn't trust it.

The only somewhat hard part about doing a timing belt is removing/installing the covers. Everything else is a sinch.

 

[chet1185]

so, its impossible in the car? how many other people agree?

 

[Roberti 2G]

He might have meant possible.I am about to start mine today or tmmr. I am confident ill be able to get it all done with the engine in the car.

 

[donniekak]

Good luck getting to the water pump bolt under the tensioner pulley without removing the belt.

 

[lasthope05]

You can do it without removing the timing belt. Its a fast and easy job. Should only take about 2 hrs top if you know what your doing. There is plenty of room once you take the motor mount of and move the power steering pump out of the way. You can lift and lower the engine to gain clearance.

If the belt and tensioner has been changed recently i would leave it. coolant isn't going to damage a belt and neither is a bit of oil. Its when its been soaked in oil for long periods of time when you should be worried and if naturally deteriorates rubber.

 

[lasthope05]

Good luck getting to the water pump bolt under the tensioner pulley without removing the belt.

That's true. you don't have to remove the belt but some timing components must be removed. You're basically going to have to remove it but not really.

 

[boostneverlies]

I really want to see how this turns out

 

[chet1185]

i will attempt without removing the tbelt

 

[bryanwheat]

That's true. you don't have to remove the belt but some timing components must be removed. You're basically going to have to remove it but not really.

Please tell me what timing component is going to be removed with out taking the tension off the belt?

 

[lasthope05]

Please tell me what timing component is going to be removed with out taking the tension off the belt?

Your'e telling me that just because I leave the belt on the motor I cant loosen the tension on the belt?

Zip tie the cam gears and mark the oil and timing sprocket and belt. Insert an allen key to hold the tensioner and remove along with tensioner puller.

You are going to have to remove some components but the belt can stay in and you dont have to retime the motor, just reset tension which is easy. Like I said, you basically remove it, but not really.

 

[bryanwheat]

Your'e telling me that just because I leave the belt on the motor I cant loosen the tension on the belt?

Zip tie the cam gears and mark the oil and timing sprocket and belt. Insert an allen key to hold the tensioner and remove along with tensioner puller.

You are going to have to remove some components but the belt can stay in and you dont have to retime the motor, just reset tension which is easy. Like I said, you basically remove it, but not really.

That is different than what the original poster is talking about. He is asking if you can just leave everything intact and change the pump. If you are removing the tensioner than you might as well atleast mark the timing belt with whiteout, remove it and sit it aside so that it isn't in the way. Seems kind of silly to just leave it sitting there after you have taken tension off the belt and removed the tensioner pulley arm. Also why would you have to reset the tension if you are just removing the belt. You don't even need to touch the tension pulley adjustment. All you have to do is thread the long tool in from the back and compress the tensioner, remove the marked belt, insert pin in tensioner, remove tensioner arm and than you can change the water pump. Adjusting the tension is only necessairy if a new belt is installed of the current tension setting is improper.

 

[lasthope05]

Not everybody has the tension tool and its no really resetting thr tension as the belt has already stretched jusy setting back in position. Everybody does things differently butthe belt is never in the way of anythingfor me so i see no need to fully remove it as there is plenty of room.

Either way you do it its a quick and easy job.

 

[chet1185]

all i know is if i have to remove the belt and buy special tools, the car can go. i have no experience with these cars and do not wish to keep putting money into it. i like the car, its fun. my woman has always wanted one but we are getting fed up.

 

[boostneverlies]

if you're not comfortable doing it take it to a shop. It's better to pay extra then doing it wrong and bending valves

 

[chet1185]

zno shop touches my vehicles.