Water Pump Install

[IceHammer]

Ok guys, would appreciate a little help here. Went to install a new water pump the other day, and found myself unable to move the power steering pump out of the way. I have the haynes manual which was of course not specific on steering bracket unbolt + move.

I have located 6 bolts on the bracket, and one nut on the rear that seem to be attaching it. It moves slightly under load at this point but its clear I'm still missing bolt.

So, after 2 in front (one far out, one deep), 2 behind coil packs, and 2 behind the pump pulley, where is the final bolt?

Any diagrams / pics would be fabulous as well.

[Opontee]

Re: Water Pump Install

You have to pull the bracket off WITH the pump.

[IceHammer]

Re: Water Pump Install

so what else needs to come off? more bolts? the steering pump hoses?

[ssms5411]

Re: Water Pump Install

Wish I could help but yours is a 3.4 on the 3.8 its just the 2 bolts inside the pulley. Good luck.

[fenderman]

Re: Water Pump Install

Yeah, I did the same thing. I went to check my 3.8 and saw my pump secured on two studs coming out of the block. I was looking all over for a bracket and more bolts before I realized that there's more than one V6 motor for the Camaro. Checked his profile and saw he had the 3.4. If I had a picture or a 3.4 to look at, I'd be of more help. Sorry.

[Bonemaro]

Re: Water Pump Install

I just did mine (3.8). Piece of cake. The 3.4 is that much different? You have to move the steering pump? Wow...

[Shodown]

Re: Water Pump Install

I just did mine (3.8). Piece of cake. The 3.4 is that much different? You have to move the steering pump? Wow...

Thats exactly what I was thinking. I didnt know it was a 3.4 at first and thought "WTF? Remove the PS pump?!"

Good luck, dude. I hope you get it figured out.

[IceHammer]

Re: Water Pump Install

Yes, they decided it would be a good idea to bolt the steering pump bracket on to the water pump while covering 3 other water pump bolts at the same time.

I guess I'll take another stab at it this weekend and see if there were any bolts I missed.

[fenderman]

Re: Water Pump Install

One thing you might want to try is gently moving the pump in as many different directions as possible to see where it is hanging up and then investigate in that general area. That is the best advice I can give you without actually seeing the motor.

Also, another rule of thumb I try to follow: if you start getting frustrated, stop. I've found that the most frustrating things are even more difficult when you're tired and/or upset. If you come back to it with a clear mind it sometimes helps.

Good luck, and sorry I couldn't be of more help to you.

[jrherald420]

Re: Water Pump Install

Alldata states you need to remove the pully off of the pump first then remove the bolts that are behind the pully. Hope that helps.


REMOVE OR DISCONNECT

1. Drain radiator assembly, refer to System Draining, Flushing and Filling .
2. Air duct and electrical connector.
3. Top coil of coil pack.
4. Loosen tensioner pulley bolt/screw.
5. Heater hose from pump.
6. Loosen water pump pulley bolts/screws (27).
7. Power steering bracket bolts/screws.
8. Serpentine belt.
9. Water pump pulley (28).
10. Power steering pump bracket and pump.
11. Water pump bolts/screws (29).
12. Engine front cover bolts/screws (30).
13. Water pump cover bolts/screws (31).
14. Water pump assembly (32) and water pump gasket (33).
15. Clean all gasket surfaces and water pump bolts/screws.

INSTALL OR CONNECT

1. New water pump gasket.
2. Water pump assembly.
3. Water pump cover bolts/screws and tighten to45 Nm (33 lb ft) .
4. Engine front cover bolts/screws and tighten to11 Nm (97 lb in) .
5. Water pump bolt/screw and tighten to10 Nm (89 lb in) .
6. Power steering pump and bracket.
7. Water pump pulley.
8. Serpentine belt.
9. Power steering pump bracket bolts/screws and tighten to40 Nm (30 lb ft) .
10. Heater hose to pump.
11. Top coil of coil pack.
12. Electrical connector to alternator.
13. Air duct and electrical connector.
14. Add engine coolant, refer to System Draining, Flushing and Filling .
15. Inspect for leaks, after running engine to normal operating temperature.

[IceHammer]

Re: Water Pump Install

I disagree that the pulley needs to come off. I was able to remove 2 bolts behind the steering pump pulley with the wheel still attached.

Again those AllData instructions are lacking on how many / where the rest of the steering pump bracket bolts are....I'll have to figure it out myself it looks like.

[jrherald420]

Re: Water Pump Install

Well sorry i was trying to help you, ill remember that next time. Im only using the same F*cking software that the dealerships use, but what do i know, im only in college for auto repair and have 6 ASE Master techs as teachers....... P.S. i have the pictures of where and how many bolts/ what size they are but after the lovely responce you have given me, im not taking the time to download them and host them so you can use them. Have fun.

[IceHammer]

Re: Water Pump Install

You should probably settle down. I didn't mean to insult you in any way, not sure how that happened....

[fenderman]

Re: Water Pump Install

jrherald420,
I really hate to drop the bomb on you like this, but if this is the reaction you are going to have towards someone who questions the procedure you may want to think about pursuing another career. The thing that gets me the most is that you are still a student and therefore according to the school you are attending do not know everything. I can only imagine how you will treat others once you have that official piece of paper and the patch on your uniform. I can tell you that as someone who's actually gotten his hands dirty in an actual mechanics garage that customers and certain fellow employees will not always agree with you even with the certification, and if throwing tantrums and such like you've done here is how you handle conflict I can only wish the best of luck to you and your future job and hope that you don't have to deal with people on a regular basis.

IceHammer,
I did a little digging online, and found these two sources. The first one should be pretty helpful to you since it is more of a complete writeup and deals with water pump replacement for the 3.4 from a person who has done it on that specific motor in a '94 Camaro. The second source (look for solution #2) seems to indicate that there are one or more bolts behind the coil pack mounting bracket and to get the bracket off the P/S pulley must be removed. You can rent a puller but I bought mine for 20-30 bucks IIRC. Which option you want is up to you. Some places simply ask you to put down a deposit which is refunded once the tool is returned. At the very least, pulling the pump pulley will give you a clearer view of what is going on and it isn't very hard to do.

http://camaroforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38080

http://www.fixya.com/cars/t1066644-camaro_water_pump

Does this help? Let me know.

[jrherald420]

Re: Water Pump Install

Hate to bust your bubble but i to have "gotten my hands dirty in an actual mechanics garage". My father was a mechanic for 32 years, thanks.