How to Change a Water Pump in a 1994 Oldsmobile

Without the water pump in your 1994 Oldsmobile, the cooling system will not work effectively and your car will overheat. Signs of a bad water pump include leaking around the bearing where the pulley mounts to it, or a loud squeaking noise coming from the pump as the engine is running. When you first realize that you are having problems with the water pump, you need to replace it. Putting the project off until another time could make a reasonably inexpensive repair cost much more money if other parts sustain damage from the overheating engine.

Instructions

1

Drain the engine coolant into the drain pan by opening the valve on the bottom of the radiator with a wrench. Set the coolant out of reach of children and pets.

2

Loosen the tension on the serpentine belt by using a wrench to turn the idler bolt counterclockwise. Pull the serpentine belt from the car. Be sure to note the proper routing of the belt if the diagram is missing from under the hood of the car.

3

Loosen the bolts on the alternator with a socket and ratchet. Do not completely remove the bolts. Push the alternator to the side. Remove the bolts from the water pump pulley using a socket and ratchet. Pull the pulley from the water pump.

4

Remove the bolts from the water pump using a socket and ratchet. Pull the water pump from the motor. Clean any remaining gasket material from the mounting surface using the scraper tool.

5

Place a new gasket on the mounting surface, followed by the water pump. Install the bolts and tighten them with the torque wrench to 18 foot-pounds. Install the water pump pulley and tighten the bolts with the torque wrench to 22 foot-pounds.

6

Move the alternator back over to the proper position and tighten the bolts with the socket and ratchet. Place the serpentine belt back on the engine and route it according to the diagram on the underside of the car hood or the one you made previously.

7

Refill the radiator and reservoir with engine coolant. Start the engine and check thoroughly for leaking.