How to Replace a 1988 Honda Accord Water Pump

If your 1998 Honda Accord starts overheating, you have to determine the cause before you can make a repair. If you've ruled out the thermostat, the likeliest cause is a faulty water pump. When the bearing goes bad, the water pump will begin to leak and probably start making a rattling noise. This is a project that you can do yourself and save a repair bill in the process. It's not difficult and requires only a few tools.

Instructions

1

Lift the hood and prop it open. Make sure that you allow the engine to cool. Place a clean drain pan under the drain valve on the bottom of the radiator. Open the valve with a wrench and drain the coolant into the pan. Reattach the valve once the coolant has drained.

2

Loosen the bolts on the water pump pulley with a ratchet and socket. Do not remove the bolts. Remove the belt from the water pump. Remove the bolts from the water pump pulley. Pull the pulley off the water pump.

3

Remove the bolts from the water pump with a socket and ratchet and pull the pump away from the engine. Pull the water pump O-ring off and throw it away. Clean the water pump mounting surface to make sure there is no residual gasket material that will prevent the water pump from mounting flush to the engine.

4

Install a new O-ring and the new water pump on the engine. Tighten the bolts with a socket and ratchet

5

Place the water pump pulley on the water pump and loosely install the bolts. Reattach the water pump belt. Tighten the water pump pulley bolts with the socket and ratchet.

6

Add coolant to the engine. If the old coolant is clean, reuse it. Start the car and check the system for leaks.