Doing a water pump replacement. Thought it was going to be a piece of cake, wrong.

Hell, i even stuffed the hole with a shop towel but it still slipped out as soon as the second bolt was loosened.


What now, How do i go about removing the chain cover ?

 

Did you try removing it with a telescoping magnet rod? I was just about to try the water pump replacement myself aswell this weekend, now im worried lol

 

OMG I GOT IT OUT, IT IS MAGNETIC! hahah WOOOOOOOO i luv u guys

 

For you my friend,

http://www.vqpower.com/v2/readarticle.php?article_id=68

 

Gratz. Lemme know how it goes, I'll be trying it thursday if it doesnt rain (70% chance) or friday if it does. I'm thinking the only hard part is not losing the tensioner piston. The cramped space is annoying but not difficult.

 

Nice. I could've sworn it was aluminum, but I guess not. Sorry for leaving so abruptly, I had to get to a friend's house.

I'm on boredmder74 on AIM right now if you still need help.

 

I just replaced the tensioner on my 98. There is a trick that makes it very easy to push the piston in.

Loosen the lower bolt, then remove the top bolt. Tilt the tensioner counter clockwise. Use a long nose needle plier with 45% bend (or suitable tool) to push in the piston. Insert a push pin or paper clip in the hole to prevent the piston from coming out. Then remove the lower bolt and take out the tensioner.

 

did u have any problems when done, replacing the belt? Mine keeps making a LOUD screeching noise.

 

I've reread your post and see you did say counter clockwise, that makes more sense to me now.

"hhmmmmm, just did the job and you would recommend turning the thing clockwise to face down?? or counter clockwise to face upwards before putting in pin?? Please confirm."

 

Nice Job guy! I got mine out too, what a scare!! I'm working on a device to do this in a human fashion...almost have it fabricated, in fact it also will use a magnet..... cya, vin

 

Thank you much gonna need this tip tomorrow

 

dude, get a 10 mm long magnetic socket to do this job, the bolts on the water pump are short, the ones on the tensioner are long, but you'll be much happier knowing the f'in bolts won't fall in easily with the mag holding them, it allows you to concentrate on the tensioner piston/spring assembly since you are going to be working blind, see Mishmosh thread and Stickies how to also, read them both completely.
I lost the piston in the cover too and the magnet worked for me also, but it was in the cover 7 inches deep, with two turns to go around in a 2 inch space..not fun, I was shocked it came out. Get the socket and remove as much stuff as you can to get elbow room, I used coat hanger to hold back chain guide while putting in new tensioner. The new one works much better as its much stronger on my 97 200k engine, the motor hums again!
I think the advice on removing the tensioner here is good, I removed the bottom bolt first and thats when I got into trouble, it tilted pointing down and then the piston slid by the bottom of guide into case. Be careful. GoodLuck

 

I turned the tensioner counter clockwise so the piston points upward. All the work was done from above. Did not have to jack car up or remove wheel or engine mount. I did remove the power steering reservoir to get enough room. Note: Sealant was Permatex #2. I just checked the access cover: no leak after three weeks.

 

Congrats to all on that change out. Mine was a scare also....will NOT want to do it again!!!!

 

I got everything to do the job tommorrow, except the magnetic 10mm =x wish me luck

 

beware of bloody and bruised knuckles.

 

lol, forgot about that part! I'm still healing from three weeks ago! I think I would Scotchbrite or sandpaper all the casting edges if I had to do this again! :}

 

30 mph winds here in jersey today not sure if i picked a good day

I just looked into the tiny *** area where the tensioner is and now i'm scared lol

 

has anyone been able to get enough slack off the water pump without removing the tensioner?

 

I tried and could not. I did turn the crank counterclockwise more than the quoted 20 degrees to gain more slack maybe 90 to 180 degrees or so and that wasn't enough either to do it without tensioner removal .

 

yea, lol, wait for another monsoon rainy day like yesterday to put you in the right spirit for this job! lol.......where in jersey?

 

Ocean County

I don't mind cold or rain, but hurricane winds are where i draw the line