Replacing the water pump is significantly different on the 1990 Subaru Legacy from most other cars. There are additional steps, such as draining the motor oil. Be sure that the water pump is actually your problem, and the issue is not something as simple as the thermostat. The entire procedure will take about 2 - 3 hours to complete and can be done in your driveway, saving you the cost of labor charges.
Instructions
- 1
Disconnect the negative battery terminal with a wrench to loosen the nut. Drain the coolant into the coolant drain pan by opening the valve on the bottom of the radiator with a wrench.
2Raise the car up using an automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the frame near the jacking point. Raise the jack stand up to the frame of the car. Drain the oil into the oil drain pan by removing the plug on the oil pan with a wrench. Replace the plug on the oil pan, and tighten snugly. Remove the entire oil pan, oil pan plate and oil strainer from the car, using a wrench to remove the bolts. Lower the car to the ground.
3Remove the oil dipstick from the tube. Take the tube off the engine with a wrench.
4Remove the alternator from the car, using a ratchet and socket to take the bolts out. Set the alternator to the side.
5Loosen the bolt on the crankshaft pulley, and pull it off the engine. Remove the timing belt cover, using a wrench to remove the bolts. Mark the direction and position of the timing belt with the marking crayon for proper placement when you put it back on.
6Remove the timing belt by removing the tensioner with a wrench. Remove the camshaft sprocket with a wrench.
7Remove the rear timing belt cover with a wrench. Raise the vehicle with the jack. Place a jack stand under the frame near the jacking point, and raise it to the frame.
8Remove the cover on the flywheel housing, using a ratchet and socket to remove the bolts. Remove the air suction manifold bracket from the air suction manifold and crankcase cover. Use a wrench to remove the bolts.
9Use a wrench to remove the retaining bolts from the water pump cover. Clean any remaining gasket material from the mounting surface. Remove the water pump impeller with the ratchet and socket. Remove the water pump impeller and the seal.
10Install a new seal for the water pump. Put the impeller back on, and tighten the impeller bolt with the socket and ratchet. Put the water pump cover back on the crankcase, and tighten the bolts with a wrench.
11Install the air suction manifold bracket to the air suction manifold and the crankcase. Use a wrench to tighten the bolts. Put the oil strainer and the oil pan back on the car. Tighten the bolts with a wrench.
12Put the cover back on the flywheel housing, and tighten the bolts with a wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the car, and lower the car back to the ground.
13Put the rear timing belt cover back on, and tighten the bolts with a wrench. Install the camshaft sprocket, and tighten it with a socket and ratchet. Put the timing belt tensioner and the timing belt back on according to your markings. Tighten the tensioner with a socket and ratchet. Reinstall the timing belt cover, and tighten it up with a wrench.
14Reinstall the crankshaft pulley. Put the alternator back on the car and loosely install the bolts. Route the accessory belt according to the way it came off, and then pull the belt tight with the alternator. Tighten the bolts on the alternator.
15Put the dipstick tube back on the car, and tighten the nut with a wrench. Replace the dipstick in the tube.
16Refill the engine with clean oil through the oil fill opening. Add engine coolant to the radiator and reservoir. Reconnect the negative battery terminal, and tighten the nut with a wrench. Start the car, and check thoroughly for leaking.
