How do you replace the water pump on a 1996 GMC Safari?

Answer 1

Remove the air cleaner assembly (must), remove the top half of the fan shroud (must), remove the top radiator hose (optional). I'm assuming you can figure out how to remove these items in my first sentence. If you can't, no offense, but in my opinion you have no business doing this job to start with. BEFORE you remove the serpentine belt, use a large wrench to unscrew the thermostatic clutch fan assembly from the water pump. If you don't, you will need a special tool (or you can make one as I did) to get the thermostatic clutch fan assembly off the water pump because once you remove the water pump you have no good way to hold the smooth pulley while you remove the fan assembly. This I know from experience. Just in case you don't know, you use a 3/8 ratchet inserted in the square hole of the belt tensioner to loosen the belt while you remove it. The water pump should now be accessable. There are 2 bolts on the left and 2 bolts on the right that hold the water pump to the front of the engine block. After removing the water pump you will need to remove the smooth pulley from the old pump and install it on the new one. Scrape any old gasket material off the engine block around the inlet and outlet where the water pump was mounted. Hope this helps and good luck. Chevy Astro and gmc safari ....same vehicle Just a note: it's much easier to remove the fan if you do it BEFORE loosening the serpentine belt. The large nut is located on the engine side of the fan. On my '98, the nut loosens counterclockwise if you're facine the engine from the front.