How to Replace the Water Pump in a Pontiac Grand Prix

The water pump is the heart of the Grand Prix's cooling system, circulating the coolant. A faulty water pump can cause some serious damage to the engine of your Pontiac Grand Prix. To prolong the life of your vehicle's engine, make sure to change out a bad water pump.

Instructions

5.3L Grand Prix Engine

1

Place a drain pan underneath the radiator. When the engine is cool, drain the cooling system from the radiator into the pan.

2

Remove the battery from the engine along with its tray.

3

Take the drive belt out of the engine.

4

Loosen and remove the three bolts to the water pump and remove the pump, throwing away the gasket.

5

Clean the gasket mating surfaces and install the new water pump with a new gasket, tightening the bolts to 89 inch pounds (10 Nm).

6

Reinstall the drive belt and the battery with the battery tray.

7

Refill the engine's cooling system with coolant. Start the car and check for leaks when the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

3.5L Grand Prix Engine

8

Partially drain the coolant from the cooling system.

9

Disconnect the surge tank outlet hose and remove the drive belt.

10

Remove the idler pulley and the water pump pulley, making sure to note the locations of the bolts as you remove them as they are various lengths.

11

Loosen and remove the bolts to the water pump, also taking note at their locations, and remove the pump.

12

Install the new water pump with a new gasket, tightening the bolts to 124 inch pounds (14 Nm).

13

Reattach the water pump pulley, tightening the bolts to 106 inch pounds (12 Nm).

14

Reinstall the idler pulley, tightening the bolts to 37 foot pounds (50 Nm) and install the surge tank hose and drive belt.

15

Refill the engine's cooling system with coolant.

16

Start the car and check for leaks when the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

3.4L and 3.1L Grand Prix Engines

17

Place a drain pan underneath the radiator. When the engine is cool, drain the cooling system from the radiator into the pan.

18

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

19

Remove the accessory drive belt guard and the accessory drive belt.

20

Loosen and remove the water pump pulley bolts and remove the water pump pulley.

21

Remove the water pump bolts and remove the water pump.

22

Install the new water pump along with a new gasket, tightening the bolts to 89 inch pounds (10 Nm).

23

Reinstall the water pump pulley and tighten the bolts to 18 foot pounds (25 Nm).

24

Reattach the accessory drive belt with the drive belt guard.

25

Refill the engine's cooling system with coolant.

26

Start the car and check for leaks when the engine reaches normal operating temperature.