How do you replace the water pump on a 1996 Buick Century?

Answer 1

Just did one on my "96" Buick last month. First, you need to deal with draining and replacing the coolant ...read this from one of my posts on this subject...

On the driver's side lower rear of the radiator is a PLASTIC 'drain plug about 1 1/2 inch in diameter. After the car is cool, first open the radiator cap ( you need to twist CCW and push down hard at the same time), Then CAREFULLY with a pair of duck bill pliers or the like, unscrew the drain plug..BE CAREFUL!!!! if you break this plug it is a major pain in the a.. to replace it. Drain the coolant into a proper container and don't spill it as animals and kids love the sweet taste of antifreeze right up till it kills them. When the system is completely drained ( including coolant used to cool the trans),replace the plastic drain plug CAREFULLY

Near the waterpunp (passenger side of engine you will see a "fitting " with a nut and another bolt in the nut.... this is a vent device ...lossen the bolt to let air escape when you add the new coolant. There is also another "vent" on the driver side hose from the radiator.. do the same thing here. The object of the procedure is to refill the system WITHOUT any air pockets. Once this is achieved , make sure the two "vents" are closed. Run the engine with the radiator cap off long enough to insure the coolant level stays right to the top of the radiator fill pipe.replace the cap and insure that the reservoir tank is filled to the proper level. Take a ride then let the car cool down again then remove the cap again to make sure the coolant is still up in the fill neck. Please dispose of the anti freeze properly...nasty stuff!!! Most AutoZones will recycle it for free for you...good luck RONCO

When you have drained the system, now the actual repair takes place....On the passenger side, the expansion tank ( plastic tank) must be removed so you can "get at" things.Next , the serpentine belt must be removed...this is accomplished by inserting a prybar underneath the idler pulley and relieving the tension on the belt.The water pump has a pulley that is attached to the pump with four bolts. these bolts must be removed...note sometimes its easier to loosen theese boltls BEFORE you remove the serpentine belt.Tap the pulley off the pump GENTLY

Now... remove the five bolts that secure the actual water pump to the block...be VERY careful as the mating surfaces are ALUMINUM!!!! which dent nick and ultimately LEAK quite easily!

After CAREFULLY cleaning the mounting surface on the block where the pump goes put a thin layer of gasket cement (like Permatex) on both the block and pump body; put the gasket on then carefully install the pump with the correct line up on the bolts.NOTE: replacement pumps now have a totally different impeller device.. don't worry, they are compatible with the original factory pump.

Re-install the pully and serpentine belt. Re-install the tank. See the drain procedure above and refill the system.

If you do this job yourself, you save a TON of money. The replacement pump cost an amazing 23 bucks at Autozone and 3 bucks for some gasket cement... the rest is ALL LABOR ( you my friend!)Good luck and BE CAREFUL.Ronco

AnswerJust did one on my "96" Buick last month. First, you need to deal with draining and replacing the coolant ...read this from one of my posts on this subject...

On the driver's side lower rear of the radiator is a PLASTIC 'drain plug about 1 1/2 inch in diameter. After the car is cool, first open the radiator cap ( you need to twist CCW and push down hard at the same time), Then CAREFULLY with a pair of duck bill pliers or the like, unscrew the drain plug..BE CAREFUL!!!! if you break this plug it is a major pain in the a.. to replace it. Drain the coolant into a proper container and don't spill it as animals and kids love the sweet taste of antifreeze right up till it kills them. When the system is completely drained ( including coolant used to cool the trans),replace the plastic drain plug CAREFULLY

Near the waterpunp (passenger side of engine you will see a "fitting " with a nut and another bolt in the nut.... this is a vent device ...lossen the bolt to let air escape when you add the new coolant. There is also another "vent" on the driver side hose from the radiator.. do the same thing here. The object of the procedure is to refill the system WITHOUT any air pockets. Once this is achieved , make sure the two "vents" are closed. Run the engine with the radiator cap off long enough to insure the coolant level stays right to the top of the radiator fill pipe.replace the cap and insure that the reservoir tank is filled to the proper level. Take a ride then let the car cool down again then remove the cap again to make sure the coolant is still up in the fill neck. Please dispose of the anti freeze properly...nasty stuff!!! Most AutoZones will recycle it for free for you...good luck RONCO

When you have drained the system, now the actual repair takes place....On the passenger side, the expansion tank ( plastic tank) must be removed so you can "get at" things.Next , the serpentine belt must be removed...this is accomplished by inserting a prybar underneath the idler pulley and relieving the tension on the belt.The water pump has a pulley that is attached to the pump with four bolts. these bolts must be removed...note sometimes its easier to loosen theese boltls BEFORE you remove the serpentine belt.Tap the pulley off the pump GENTLY

Now... remove the five bolts that secure the actual water pump to the block...be VERY careful as the mating surfaces are ALUMINUM!!!! which dent nick and ultimately LEAK quite easily!

After CAREFULLY cleaning the mounting surface on the block where the pump goes put a thin layer of gasket cement (like Permatex) on both the block and pump body; put the gasket on then carefully install the pump with the correct line up on the bolts.NOTE: replacement pumps now have a totally different impeller device.. don't worry, they are compatible with the original factory pump.

Re-install the pully and serpentine belt. Re-install the tank. See the drain procedure above and refill the system.

If you do this job yourself, you save a TON of money. The replacement pump cost an amazing 23 bucks at Autozone and 3 bucks for some gasket cement... the rest is ALL LABOR ( you my friend!)Good luck and BE CAREFUL.Ronco