How to Take a Water Pump Off of a 1998 Buick Regal

There are two distinctly different water pumps for the 1998 Buick Regal, depending on engine size. The 3.1- and 3.4-liter engines use the same water pump, but the 3.5-liter is different. Both water pumps are mounted on aluminum timing chain covers that are softer than their steel counterparts and easily gouged or scratched. This must be avoided as much as possible to eliminate any possibility of leaks when taking the water pump off a 1998 Buick Regal.

Instructions

Removal for 3.1- and 3.4-Liter Engines

1

Disconnect the negative battery terminal using a wrench. Place the drain pan under the radiator and carefully open the petcock with pliers. Partially drain the radiator to ensure that the coolant is below the level of the water pump. Close the petcock.

2

Loosen the four bolts in the water pump pulley using a wrench. Remove the belt cover bolts using a socket and lift off the cover. Using a ratchet in the hole in the belt tensioner, move the tensioner away from the belt to remove the tension. Lift the belt off the water pump pulley. Remove the water pump pulley bolts and the pulley.

3

Remove the bolts in the water pump using a socket. Pull the water pump out of the timing chain cover. Clean the timing chain cover surface of all remaining gasket material, exercising care not to gouge the surface. Clean the water pump bolt threads so there is little friction as they are installed. Place a little oil on the threads. Use the oil dipstick oil for lubrication. It doesnt take much.

4

Place some silicone sealant on the engine mating side of the pump and place the gasket over the silicone sealant. Place some sealant around the mating surface on the timing chain cover as well.

5

Install the new water pump and torque the bolts to 89 inch-pounds. Install the water pump pulley and nuts on the studs. Dont attempt to torque them until the belt is installed.

6

Move the tensioner as before and install the belt on the pulley. Install the belt cover. Torque the pulley nuts to 18 foot-pounds. Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Fill the radiator with a 50-50 mix of antifreeze to water.

Removal for the 3.5-Liter Engine

7

Partially drain the radiator and collect the coolant to avoid spillage as the water pump is removed. Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Loosen the water pump pulley bolts using a socket. Use a ratchet to move the tensioner pulley away from the belt and lift the belt off.

8

Remove the bolts in the water pump and the pulley. Remove the bolt in the idler pulley and remove the pulley. Remove all the bolts in the water pump housing using a socket. Pull the water pump free of the timing chain cover. Clean the mating surface on the timing chain cover.

9

Place a thin, continuous bead of silicone sealant around the mating surface of the new water pump. Install the new gasket to the mating surface of the water pump. Place a bead of silicone around the engine-mating surface. Install the water pump and torque the bolts to 189 inch-pounds.

10

Install the water pump pulley. Install the idler pulley and tighten the bolt to 25 foot-pounds. Move the tensioner away from the belt using the ratchet and install the belt over the water pump pulley and idler. Torque the water pump pulley bolts to 124 inch-pounds.

11

Fill the radiator with a 50-50 antifreeze-to-water mixture. Connect the negative battery terminal.