Water pump issue

[josemolina2008]

I got a pretty big leak coming from my water pump and I'm going to take it apart to see if its the pump itself or just the gasket. My question is what steps should I follow to take it off. This is my first time ever doing this so I don't want to go in not knowing a thing. Do I need to take the coolant out? I'm guessing I do though. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[SJAndrew]

You do have to drain your coolant.

I've not taken the GP water pump apart, but it's probably like most pumps. They can leak at the gasket or seal. Since the seal is internal, most manufacturers put a weep hole in the casting so that when the seal fails you will see leaking coolant.

My advice: if you're going to take the whole thing off, I would just replace it. A reman pump is like $30 and a new one is like $50.

It's cheap peace of mind and, as you will see, taking the pump off is pretty laborious. It would be a shame to spend all that time to take it off and then reinstall and then find out you needed a new one anyway.

[TheOtherNick]

The one on your car is real easy to get off. Loosen the pulley bolts on the water pump while the belt is still on. Then remove belt and pulley. Finally unbolt water pump and remove it. You do not have to drain the coolant just pull the pump off and what has to come out will. No need to drain it all.

[josemolina2008]

Well I started to take it off and a lot of coolant started to come out, so I put it back on. How do I drain out the coolant?

[TheOtherNick]

Take the pump off. The coolant will come out, who cares where it comes from. If you pull the lower hose it will come out there, or just pull the pump and it will come out there.

[josemolina2008]

Ok well its all done. I found out were to take it out from and I wanted to save the coolant because it was new. Didn't feel like buying more when I didn't need to.