How to Install a Silverado Water Pump

Iskandar Blogger 11:58 PM

The water pump on the Chevy Silverado is a mechanical pump that is driven by a belt when the engine is running. If the bearing goes bad in the pump, the pulley will get very loose and will not spin correctly, making the water pump ineffective. You need to replace the water pump as soon as it is evident that there is a problem with it or the result will be further, more expensive damage to the engine. Fortunately, no special tools are required and you can complete this project yourself in just a couple of hours.

Instructions

    1

    Open the valve on the bottom of the radiator with a wrench and drain the engine coolant into the drain pan. Do not drain the coolant to the ground. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Remove the fan shroud using a wrench to remove the bolts.

    2

    Note the proper routing of the drive belt. Remove the drive belt from the engine by loosening the idler pulley with a wrench. Remove the mounting bolts from the alternator using a socket and ratchet. Remove the alternator from the engine compartment. Remove the fan, fan clutch and pulley using a wrench.

    3

    Disconnect the lower radiator hose from the water pump inlet using a screwdriver to loosen the hose clamp. Remove the heater hose from the water pump using the screwdriver to loosen the hose clamp. Remove the mounting bolts from the water pump with a socket and ratchet. Pull the pump and old gasket away from the engine block.

    4

    Clean any remaining gasket material from the engine block using the scraper. Place a new gasket and water pump on the engine block and tighten the bolts with the socket and ratchet. Connect the heater hose to the pump and tighten the hose clamp with the screwdriver. Connect the lower radiator hose to the pump and tighten the hose clamp.

    5

    Install the fan, fan clutch and pulley using a wrench to tighten the bolts. Install the alternator and tighten the bolts using the socket and ratchet. Properly route the serpentine belt and add tension to it by tightening the idler pulley with a wrench. Install the fan shroud and tighten the bolts with a wrench. Connect the negative cable to the battery.

    6

    Add engine coolant to the radiator and reservoir to bring it to the proper level. Start the Silverado and check the work area closely for leaks.