How do you replace the water pump on a 1998 Chevy Monte Carlo Z34?

Answer 1

On my 1997 iT'S at the front end with the belt going the other way with a SMOOTH pulley. it's an easy change. pull the pully bolts, take off belt, then pull water pump. This is actually a harder job than appears at first. The Haynes and Chilton manuals are useless on this subject. The reason is that one of the water pump bolts is obstructed by the PS pump pulley. You have to remove the PS pump to remove the last bolt on the water pump. Unless the engine is out of the car, it all has to be done by feel. The two bolts that hold on the PS pump are at approximately 12 and 6 on the pump. You have to rotate the pulley to a place where there is an access hole to get a socket onto the mounting bolts. Both bolts are 13mm and are fairly easily removed. However, putting the pump back on is an adventure. You just have to move it around until you get the bolt seated in the hole. I suggest getting the top bolt back in first. It will be much easier to get the bottom one in if you do that. It took me about 20 minutes to get the top bolt in and about three minutes to get the bottom one in. If you are given to fits of rage, I would suggest taking it to a mechanic. :)