Water Pump time.... possibly.

[c good]

Leaking coolant up front. Will look more closely at it tomorrow morning but it may be a water pump.

If so, are there any special tools or tricks for removing the fan clutch from the pulley/pump?

Hoping it's just a radiator hose....will keep everyone posted. Thanks All!

 

[movietvet]

When I bought my girl her 2002 TB, it needed a water pump right then and it had only 72k miles on it, IIRC. Take the fan shroud and fan clutch out at the same time. Do a shock blow/impact to a spanner wrench or adjustable wrench. I cannot remember the size. Once you break it loose it will unthread easily. If in a salt on road state, may be a bit sticky. Do you have a pressure tester? Unless the leak is obvious, like my girl's water pump was, then pressure test it and watch for the drips.

When I did hers, I did a new fan clutch and a new thermostat, too. Belt too IIRC.

 

[Matt]

I did a write up. Unfortunately the photo's are no longer there but it's still a good guide for replacing the pump and/or fan clutch.

Thread 'How to replace the water pump'

Jun 18, 2016

Total time, about an hour. On the OS someone claimed to have done it in 30 minutes, but it took me about an hour from getting everything out to having everything packed away.

Make sure the engine is COMPLETELY cool before doing this. Best bet is to do it first thing in the morning.

Remove the radiator cap and upper radiator hose. Make sure you have a catch pan under the truck to collect the antifreeze. You don't need to drain the radiator unless you are doing a flush and fill at the same time.

There's a variety of methods people use to loosen the fan clutch, but I will say you don't...

• Matt
• Replies: 36
• Forum: Article Submissions

• 

 

[Mooseman]

The FAQ is your friend.

This thread also shows different ways to remove the fan clutch:

Thread 'Using chain for fan clutch removal'

Jun 18, 2013

Someone posted this and I couldn't find the thread to give proper recognition. Genius idea and worked like a champ, I just used a longer M8 bolt in the pump and secured a chain around the engine hoist bracket. Saved me a trip to the parts store.

• gmcman
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Vortec 4.2L I-6

and:

F

Thread 'Fan clutch is frozen to the water pump'

Nov 1, 2014

Need help!!! My water pump is wobbling, so I decided to replace it. But, I can't break the clutch loose. I've got a fan clutch tool that hooks around the bolts on the pulley. I've tried PB blaster and a small propane torch, but all the wrench does is try to round off the nut on the clutch. I tried to take the entire assembly out, but I need another inch of room. Anyone have any ideas.

2003 2WD trailblazer with 4.2 I6

• flyntgr1
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Vortec 4.2L I-6

 

[c good]

Thank you all for the input. Special thanks to Matt and Mooseman for the retaining chain to the engine hoist bracket tip. That, along with my new $19.00 Harbor Freight Adjustable wrench, and a 32 inch piece of cheater bar PVC and I was able to loosen the fan clutch nut!

Part two tomorrow.

 

[movietvet]

Thank you all for the input. Special thanks to Matt and Mooseman for the retaining chain to the engine hoist bracket tip. That, along with my new $19.00 Harbor Freight Adjustable wrench, and a 32 inch piece of cheater bar PVC and I was able to loosen the fan clutch nut!

Part two tomorrow.

Lots of pics or it didn't happen.

 

[c good]

Will post more up tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder MovieVet.

 

[c good]

Where I called it a day after finally getting the clutch nut loose!

 

[movietvet]

So, you did decide that the water pump is the source of the leak? You had not said yet, so I was wondering. Secondly, are you gonna try and worm that fan clutch out or take it out with the fan shroud, like I suggested. When I did mine, I likely could have gotten it out but I was afraid I would kilter it enough and have a blade dig in to the radiator.

 

[c good]

Hi MovieVet. I pressure tested it and it definitely was leaking at the water pump shaft seal.

I was able to get the fan shroud, fan, and fan clutch up and out altogether.

 

[DIYguybob]

This is brilliant advice, used it myself. Replace two of the 8 mm long fan bolts with 30 mm long bolts. Remove the other two bolts, now you have all the clearance you need to remove the fan and replace the water pump. It saves a ton of time and effort.

 

[c good]

This is brilliant advice, used it myself. Replace two of the 8 mm long fan bolts with 30 mm long bolts. Remove the other two bolts, now you have all the clearance you need to remove the fan and replace the water pump. It saves a ton of time and effort.

Thanks for the link Bob. Yes, I was lucky enough to find this a few days ago. I bought the two 8mm X 30mm bolts and it worked pretty well.

The toughest part so far was getting the fan clutch nut loose from the water pump. I ended up using the chain method to hold the pulley, then a good, narrow crescent wrench with a 32 inch cheater bar to break it loose.