How to Change the Water Pump on a 1998 Chevy Lumina 3.8

If your engine&039;s water pump fails, the engine will overheat, and your heater vents won&039;t blow hot air. The water pump in your 1998 Chevrolet Lumina is conveniently located so you won&039;t have to remove any engine components to reach it. Expect to spend about half an hour replacing it. You can purchase or order a replacement pump from most auto parts stores.

Instructions

1

Drain the radiator coolant into a drain pan. The plug is on the backside of the bottom of the radiator. Open the radiator cap to improve flow.

2

Remove the serpentine belt from the water pump pulley. The tensioner pulley is on a spring-loaded arm about halfway down the left side of the engine. Insert a breaker bar into the spot behind the pulley and rotate the arm counterclockwise to remove tension. The water pump pulley is directly across from the tensioner pulley. Slip the belt off the pulley. If you are careful, the belt will remain on the other pulleys. If it slips off, there is a diagram in your owner&039;s manual explaining the routing.

3

Disconnect the radiator and heater hoses from the water pump. They are attached by clamps--squeeze the tabs with a pair of pliers to remove them.

4

Unbolt the water pump from the engine block. It is held in place by a circle of five bolts. Pull out the pump and bolt in the replacement. Torque the bolts to 8 ft.-lbs.

5

Attach the hoses. Loosen the tensioner and place the belt back around the water pump pulley.

6

Twist the coolant bleed vents open two to three turns. One is on the throttle body, above the water pump. The other is on the thermostat housing. Follow the upper radiator hose to find it. Fill the radiator, through the coolant cap, until fluid reaches the neck of the radiator. Close the vents.

7

Close the radiator cap and fill the overflow tank. Run the engine for one minute. If the low coolant light remains on, repeat Steps 6 and 7. This will bleed air from the coolant system.