How do you replace the water pump on a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

Answer 1

yes the bolts are too long at first, i just finished changing mine today. my timing belt exploded on me. turns out in order to actually get the bolts clear of the block you have to take off the passenger side motor mount and loosen the others and basically push the engine down. with everything loose it'll make it, just barely, but you can already see how close it is. the way you have it now you can tell it's only a few mm to clear. try it this way, it'll work. and you'll have to take off the motor mounts anyway to hoist the engine out if that was your last resort.

Don't loosen the other motor mount!!!!!! if you loosen the passenger side mount and remove it , put a floor jack under the oil pan but be sure to use a block of wood to disperse the weight so you don't crush the oil pan. Jack your engine up about 6 inches, the motor mount and the other bolts will be easier to access and will slide past the fender wall easier. The water pump is actually attached to your timing belt so be very careful not to move the crankshaft or the camshafts when you remove the belt, this is one of the hardest engines to get back in time.