INSTALLING A NEW WATER PUMP

Before installing a new pump, clean out the cooling system.If the old pump still works, add a chemical cleaner and reverse flush out all the sediment, rust and scale.Disconnect fan, fan clutch, hoses, and belts. Remove old water pump. Next, inspect the impeller cavity in the engine block. Clean it thoroughly, removing sediment build-up and scale.NOTE: Hytec recommends replacing the timing beltand components while servicing a timing belt driven water pump. Long-term coolant or oil contamination can damage a timing belt.


Installation Reminders

  1. Flush cooling system of all sediment, rust and scale before removing old pump.
  2. With old pump removed, clean impeller cavity in engine block and clean gasket surface.
  3. Standard and Reverse Rotation water pumps are not interchangeable.It is easy to identify water pump types. Look at the pump and the belt that drives it. If the pump is driven by the front of the belt, its a standard pump. If the water pump is driven by the back of the belt, it is a reverse rotation pump.
    Tighten steel back plate bolts on water pump where applicable. Coat new gaskets on both sides with gasket sealer and position on pump or engine block.
  4. Do not force pump on by striking the pump shaft.
  5. Tighten mounting bolts to the manufacturers torque specifications. Dont tighten bolts around the clock. Instead, stagger the sequence. Do not over torque bolts. Doing so may cause overload fractures.
  6. If equipped, check condition of the fan clutch and the fan. If these are suspect, replace them.
  7. Dont over-tighten the belts. Over tightened belts may cause premature bearing failure. They can also break the bearing shaft or the housing.
  8. If vehicle has an automatic belt tensioner, follow manufacturers instructions for testing its effectiveness. A faulty tensioner can damage a water pump.
  9. Turn pump shaft and make sure it rotates freely before reinstalling the pulleys, fans, clutches, belts and hoses.
  10. Fill radiator and coolant recovery reservoir with the correct mixture of new coolant and distilled water. Check for obvious leaks. Measure the amount of coolant added so it can be determined if air is trapped in the system. If so, it needs to be purged. A vacuum fill tool eliminates air in the cooling system.
  11. Check fan blades. If bent, cracked or if rivets are loose, replace the fan. If equipped with a fan clutch, check fan clutch for loss of oil, looseness or wobble. Replace if damaged.
  12. A new pump will normally weep from the weep hole during the run-in period of a few hours. If it continues to weep, the seal is damaged and the pump needs to be replaced.
  13. Always allow a hot engine to cool before working on the cooling system. Never remove the radiator cap from a hot engine. And never add cold coolant to a hot engine. This will crack the seal.
  14. If you have a manufacturers repair manual, refer to it when replacing the water pump.
  15. ALWAYS use new coolant after installing a new water pump. Follow the manufacturers recommendation as to the type of coolant to use, traditional or long-life. Do not mix types of antifreeze. Do not use coolant additives.