Change water-pump 97 Chevy astro van?

Answer 1

Remove Fan Shroud

Remove Belt

Remove Cooling Fan

Drain Radiator

Remove Radiator Bottom Hose from Water Pump

Unbolt Pump from Engine Block

It is a messy job but doable in 2-3 hours.

Hardest part for me was get the fan off.

adding to answer

I agree on the fan and thermostat was going to be hard.. actually I did not try to remove fan/thermostat from pump.. you must have the special tool or it real bear to get off.. I just remove the hoses from water pump, (there are three) remove the 4 bolts holding the pump and after doing all the above stuff, fan shroud etc and took the whole pump with fan to the local auto parts store that have a machine shop attached to it.. (call to make sure they can remove the fan before making the trip out, and forget auto zone tools they are not the correct ones.)

I was not there when they removed the fan assemble but could see torch marks on the large nut where it was heated up no doubt to help remove it.

Because i got the new pump at the auto supply shop they did not charge for removing the fan assembly. whole process took about 4.5 hrs that included time to get fan removed, buy new pump etc

I also replace the lower water hose, belt tensioner, and idler pulley at same time. The belt was recently replaces but could tell tensoiner and idler were original and with 147K miles thought it was as good idea to replace them. also replace dex cool with new.. actually did not see any buildup of slug etc in old pump, hoses or at engine block ports..

just my $144 dollars worth and 4 hrs.. at repair local shop the cost would have been close to 500+ bucks..