How do I Install a Water Pump on 2003 Silverado Diesel?

The diesel engine on a Chevrolet Silverado truck is usually a V8, which means there are slightly different methods of changing parts than on a V6. The water pump is one of these parts. The water pump is responsible for sending the coolant to the engine, and a malfunctioning pump will cause the engine to eventually overheat. Installing a new water pump on the engine requires you to first remove the old pump.

Instructions

Removal

1

Disconnect the negative battery cable and drain the engine coolant at the radiator, removing the drain plug and pouring the coolant into a large container.

2

Detach the air-intake duct and resonator from the air cleaner assembly, loosening the clamps on the duct with a screwdriver. Unscrew and remove the air-cleaner assembly.

3

Unbolt and remove the upper radiator shroud with a screwdriver; then remove the fan-and-clutch assembly with a wrench.

4

Disconnect the lower radiator hose and unbolt and remove the thermostat housing. Disconnect the upper radiator and heater hoses from the water-pump housing, loosening the clamps with pliers.

5

Turn the drive belt tensioner with a ratchet and socket to relive the belt tension and remove the belt. Carefully turn the tensioner back.

6

Remove the mounting bolts for the water pump with a wrench and remove the pump. You might need to tap the pump free of the gasket seal, using a soft-face hammer.

7

Scrape off all traces of gasket material from the engine block with a gasket scraper and wipe the surface clean with a rag soaked in acetone.

Installation

8

Apply a thin coat of RTV sealant to each side of the water pump gasket and connect it to the replacement pump.

9

Insert the water pump and then tighten the bolts by hand. Tighten them the rest of the way to 22 foot-pounds.

10

Reinstall the drive belt with the tensioner and ratchet, using the diagram printed on the radiator shroud for the correct path.

11

Install the thermostat housing with its bolts and reconnect the heater and radiator hoses. Reinstall the fan-and-clutch assembly and then the upper shroud with their fasteners.

12

Reinstall the air cleaner housing and the duct with the screws and hose clamps.

13

Pour the engine coolant into the radiator. Use a fresh mix of coolant and water if the old coolant is dirty.