How do you replace the water pump on a 1996 Chevy Caprice Classic?

Answer 1

Remove the fan shroud, four bolts on top, two on the sides. Remove the fan blade, four bolts. You do not need to remove the radiator to do this job but I found it goes much faster if you do. If you do, loosen the nuts on the transmission lines by using a flare nut wrench. I would not use a regular open end since if you screw up the nut, it can be a real pain. Remove the serpentine belt by sticking a 1/2" drive breaker bar into the 1/2" square slot on the tensioner. I suggest you look at how it is routed and maybe even take a digital picture so you see how to put it back on if you are not that familar with this. Then, remove the bolts attaching the water pump. You will know how many to remove by counting the holes on the replacement unit. Now, even after you have removed all the bolts you will notice it is still stuck on. Sometimes you can yank it with your hand, but I usually take a plastic mallet and give it a rap while I am hilding it. With a little luck, you ill be rewarded with a gush of green blood as the pump comes loose. Carefull clean the old gasket off the mounting surface on the block, I use a putty knife and sometimes a wood chisel to accomplish this. Then coat the mounting surface of the new water pump with Blue RTV. Let it dry for 15 minutes then carefully press the new gasket on. Then coat the gasket surface with Blue RTV and let dry for 15 minutes. The Blue RTV must skim before it is attached. Clean the threads on the bolts and then coat the threads of the bolts with Blue RTV as sometimes they go into the waterjacket and will leak if you don't. Then, pop that puppy on there and do everything you already did backwards. Fill the radiator with anti-freeze straight until it reaches almost to the top. Turn the heater on hottest and full fan and start the car with the radiator cap off. Watch until the thermostat opens, the add more anit-freeze. Once you have a good circulation and the level good, put on the cap and drive the car. Top off the coolant reserve tank with water unitl it is at the hot level.

Then, go cruising!

VBdenny

• On the 4.3L V8, There is no shroud in the way as the twin cooling fans are electricly driven. The water pump is driven by the camshaft. The serpentine belt comes off first and there are four bolts securing the pump. The hoses and any objects that may interfere with acess to the bolts must also be removed. Suggest buying an inexpensive Haynes or similar service manual to refer to while you are doing the job.