Water pump replacement
 

My 1996 Blazer is leaking around the water pump, I assume the bearing is going or gone by the sound I hear. Picked one up at the parts store and plan to swap it this weekend.

Any tips?

Do I have to remove the Rad?
Is there any issue with the clutch fan, looks like 4 bots and it comes off.

Thanks in advance.

mark.

RE: Water pump replacement
 

hey, i just did mine a couple days ago! take the air cleaner box and duct out, take the top half of the fan shroud off, take the belt off, take the 4 nuts off the base of the fan and the pully will come off too. take the hoses off the pump, take the 4 bolts off the pump and pull it off. swap over the hardware on to the new pump (studs, heater hose fitting) clean the mating surfaces real good, and heres the tricky part...use a gasket sealer (i like to use the brush on brown permatex form a gasket) and put it on the pump and on the block. stick the gaskets on the pump and put the top bolts and carefully line up the holes and bolt it on. put everything back together, top off the coolant, let it run and get up to operating temp with the radiator cap off to get all the air out, top it off again and your on your way. hope that helps.

RE: Water pump replacement
 

Thank you for the feed back.

You answered my worst fear, removal of the rad!

How long did it take you and did you replace your hoses as well? Did not pick those up as of yet but the more I think about it the better it sounds.

Looking forward to completing this on the long weekend (Canada Day!)

Mark.

RE: Water pump replacement
 

Ahhh..another Canuck! Welcome...I get to head up to the trailer tomorrow for MY long weekend.[sm=loser.gif]

RE: Water pump replacement
 

Well, if your trip up north takes you past #7 and Dufferine stop by Friday and you can help swap the unit out. It is heavy and another set of hands would be nice!!!

m.

RE: Water pump replacement
 

You don't have to take out the radiator, just the top half of the fan shroud, then the fan. Then you can get to the waterpump real easy.

RE: Water pump replacement
 

it only took me about an hour to do it. if the hoses look like they may need to be replaced, then yes, now would be a good time. and also check the belt while you have it off.

RE: Water pump replacement
 

Thanks for all the info.

Got the into it this morning and I agree it is a simple repair. One big question how do you get the fan off?

I tried removing the 4 bolts for the belt pulley does nothing. Just can not turn the fan off. There must be a trick. It is July 1st Canada day here so all the Canadian Tires are closed. I guess I need a special fork tool?

Any short cuts?

Thanks,

Mark.

RE: Water pump replacement
 

take the belt off and then the fan should just pull off. You may have to jiggle it a little to get it off.
chris

RE: Water pump replacement
 

Thanks, I wish it was that easy. For the 1996 4.3 the fan is on threaded shaft. Need some sort of frok tool to hold it while unscrewing it.

Hmmm...

Sucks.